Proinnsias Healy (23), of Ballynamore Road in the Cross area near Derry/Londonderry, admitted a charge of 'excess speed' regarding July 3 this year in a 70mph zone near Randalstown.

A defence lawyer told Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena, there was "absolutely no excuse" for such a speed.

He said a friend of the defendant had been "locked out of a student house" in Belfast and Healy "foolishly decided to speed up to get there on time".

The lawyer said the defendant, a former university student, "works in peace building and community resolution across the island of Ireland and his licence is very important to him".

The barrister said it had been "a lesson learned" and the defendant told him he will "never darken the door of the court again".

District Judge Nigel Broderick asked what speed would lead to prosecutors considering a dangerous driving charge and a prosecutor said there was no set speed.

The judge said it had been a "wholly inappropriate" speed and one which "borders on dangerous driving". He said a fatality or serious injury could have been caused.

The judge said he would take into account the guilty plea and the defendant's previously clear record but said the sentence had to not only to mark the high speed but also be a deterrence to others.

The defendant was banned from driving for two months and fined £200.