A man who was recorded exceeding the speed limit in a 50mph zone was spared a penalty because he had been "driving a distressed child to hospital".

Magistrates sitting at Peterlee Magistrates' Court accepted it was a "medical emergency" and gave the driver, Jake William Smith, a complete discharge.

The 30-year-old of Davison Street in Lingdale, Saltburn, pleaded guilty to exceeding the 50 mph speed limit while driving his BMW south on the A690 at West Rainton.

He was recorded exceeding the speed limit on the road, near Durham, on September 23, 2022.

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In mitigation he argued special reasons, on the basis the offense was committed during a "real medical emergency" as he was driving a distressed child to the hospital.

In returning their finding magistrates accepted it was "reasonable in the circumstances to drive in the manner he did with urgency".

Additionally, there were no endorsements on his license.