A MAN caught speeding on the Newtown bypass told police he was his brother-in-law.

Declan Ashcroft-Pemberton, 24, of Brook Street, Rhos, Wrexham, appeared at Welshpool Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, having no licence or insurance, and obstructing a police officer.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said an officer in an unmarked car saw a vehicle on the A483 Newtown bypass driving at excessive speed in drizzly damp conditions last September.

On three separate occasions the motorcyclist was seen to overtake on a solid white line and was clocked as travelling in excess of 90 miles per hour where the speed limit is 60mph.

When stopped Ashcroft-Pemberton identified himself as his brother-in-law, the registered keeper of the vehicle.

Paperwork was sent to Ashcroft-Pemberton's brother-in-law, who responded to say it could not have been him driving the motorbike as he was in South Wales on a course at the time.

Ashcroft-Pemberton then admitted that he had been driving the bike, that he did not have a licence or insurance, and had told the officer he was the owner so he could get home.

A report was read out from Julian Davies of the probation service who said Ashcroft-Pemberton gave his brother-in-law's details in a panic as he did not want to lose the bike, and wanted to get home.

Owain Jones, defending, added: "This was a single incident, he accepts the high speed but stopped as soon as the blue lights were activated.

"In interview he was remorseful, he made full admissions, he simply panicked initially."

Chair of the magistrates Stephen Pembroke handed Ashcroft-Pemberton an 18 week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

He has been banned from driving for 12 months and will pay £85 court costs, and a £128 victim surcharge.