A ROCK legend who tore down a Cheshire motorway at more than 100mph while being chased by police avoided disqualification.
Lead singer of the newly reformed Stone Roses, Ian Brown, pleaded guilty to speeding after police chased the rock star’s Lexus as it whipped down the M6 at Holmes Chapel through Allostock reaching speeds of 105mph.
Appearing before Chester magistrates on Monday, the 48-year-old singer, of Baycliff, Lymm, was ordered to pay £965 after magistrates decided not to disqualify him due to ‘insurmountable difficulties’.
The court heard how, at just after 12.35am on April 25 this year, police chased after Brown’s Lexus after it was spotted speeding over the 70mph limit past junction 18 at Holmes Chapel on the M6.
Prosecuting Alison Warburton said officers had chased the car over five miles as it remained at 105mph for about a mile. She said his speed never dropped below 94mph on the calibrated speedometer before it was pulled over by police.
“There were slow moving HGVs in lane one and the officers were unable to stop the vehicle,” said Miss Warburton.
Brown, who had been driving back from London where he had been visiting his 11-year-old son, initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea a few days before the trial was due to start.
Nick Freeman, defending, said Brown, a father-of-three, was offered a fixed penalty notice at the road side which he refused because he didn’t think he had been going that fast.
“The defendant has had a driving licence for about 20 years and he has only got three penalty points on it which have now expired,” said Mr Freeman.
“This is something of an achievement as he drives about 50,000 miles a year. The defendant was married for about 10 years and is now divorced but goes to see his 11-year-old son who lives with his mother in London.”
Mr Freeman said disqualification would cause ‘insurmountable difficulties’ for the singer who would not be able to care for his elderly parents who live in Timperley, maintain his relationship with his son, or attend the three rehearsals a week with the Stone Roses, who announced their reunion a week ago.
“They are rehearsing three days a week in a remote secret location which is 40 miles away from his house. If he was disqualified something would have to give, he would have to reduce his contact with his 11-year-old son, and everyone is very anxious that this relationship should continue.”
Mr Freeman said it would be a ‘logistical nightmare’ for his client to employ a driver as the unsocial hours and distance would require two drivers, and said Brown was the ‘author of his own misfortune’ by not accepting the fixed penalty notice.
Brown was ordered to pay a fine of £650, costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £15. He also had six points placed on his licence.
