A POLICE motorcyclist riding at a top speed of 127 mph on the outskirts of Ely was no match for a speeding biker riding off to the coast with mates on a Sunday afternoon, a court heard this week The officer tried in vain to catch up with Mark Beckett who

A POLICE motorcyclist riding at a top speed of 127 mph on the outskirts of Ely was no match for a speeding biker riding off to the coast with mates on a Sunday afternoon, a court heard this week

The officer tried in vain to catch up with Mark Beckett who was smashed the 60 mph limit as he rode a Suzuki machine along the A142 in Ely, and then along the A10 towards Littleport.

After hearing about the incident, incredulous presiding magistrate Hamish Ross told Beckett: "Words fail me, in all the years I have sat at this courthouse, this is the highest speed I have ever heard about.

"You were riding at more than twice the speed limit. People like you contribute to the death rates on our roads."

The 31-year-old bakery worker, who is employed by Tesco, admitted speeding and was banned from driving for 56 days by Ely magistrates, and was fined �135 with �35 costs and a �15 surcharge.

"The police officer was unable to keep up with him over a stretch of road covering 3.2 miles," said prosecutor Laura Mardell.

The incident began when a police motorcyclist parked at the junction of the A142 Witchford Road and the A10 spotted a group of six motorcycles, and decided to follow, she said.

As the officer followed Beckett, a glance at his speedo showed he was travelling at 127 mph.

"Beckett continued to pull away from him," added Miss Mardell. "The officer's motorbike was unable to go any faster."

When traffic forced Beckett to slow down, he was pulled over.

Representing himself in court, Beckett, of Bourneys Manor Close, Willingham, said: "I am sorry for what I have done. I was on a ride out to the coast, things got carried away. I did not see the police motorcycle until it was too late.