A Billericay managing director has been banned from driving after he raced through a 30mph zone in his Porsche - at 106 mph.

Andrew Diggory, 33, of Copford Road, was caught driving at three-and-a-half times the legal limit in Billericay Road, Herongate, on May 5 last year.

Police believe it was one of the highest speeds ever recorded in a 30mph zone.

Diggory, of Quadrangle Promotions, which runs the Essex Courier weekly newspaper, based in Radford Way, and the Essex Commuter magazine, based in the High Street, both Billericay, was convicted at Grays Magistrates Court of dangerous driving.

He was disqualified for 18 months and ordered to take an extended driving test at the end of the ban.

He was also fined £800 and ordered to pay £150 costs.

Acting Chief Inspector of Essex Traffic police, Alan Jelley, said: "At 106mph you are not going to be able to react to any situation.

"You are in an area with pedestrians and parked cars. It could easily have ended in someone's death."

A police spokesman said: "As far as we are aware this is one of the highest speeds recorded in a 30mph limit.

"He was caught by a police officer who was holding a hand-held laser speeding device."

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