Driver caught doing 135mph told police he was on his way to get a Chinese takeaway

The speed is thought to be one of the highest detected on Northern Ireland’s roads. The offence happened on April 17 this year at Lisnevenagh Road dual-carriageway between Antrim town and Ballymena.

The defendant - Gareth Davis (35), of Caulside Park in Antrim town - had the case mentioned at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday, where a guilty plea was relayed by a defence barrister.

Full details of the background to the incident were not outlined at Tuesday's Court but a prosecutor said police travelled behind the Mitsubishi Evo "matching its speed over a distance of six miles".

She added: "During that journey the offending vehicle was travelling consistently between 100 and up to 135mph".

She said there was police bodyworn footage.

At the time of the detection, police posted details on Facebook which said: "The driver's explanation . . . they were heading for Chinese takeaway!!

"The Evo's speed was measured along the A26 Lisnevenagh Road and at times the vehicle was travelling in excess of 135 mph, this is nearly double the permitted speed for the A26 dual carriageway," the police said.

The defendant is also charged with dangerous driving in connection with the incident.

A not guilty plea has been entered to the dangerous driving charge.

The case has been adjourned to July 28 to fix a date to contest the dangerous driving charge.

District Judge Nigel Broderick said he would like to see the police footage.