Teen speeder 80kmh over town limit

Simon Robert Lennox, 18, was clocked by police in January doing 124km/h in a 50km/h zone in Masterton.

A teenager was caught driving 80km/h over the speed limit as he tried to reach a pub where his mate was about to be bashed, a court heard.

Simon Robert Lennox, from Masterton, pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving when he appeared before Judge John Bergseng in Masterton District Court recently. He was told he's lucky he didn't kill himself or anyone else.

On January 25, Lennox was clocked by police doing 124km/h in a 50km/h zone, travelling on the west side of Masterton on Ballance St and Ngaumutawa Rd, slowing to 62km/h at the roundabout at Renall St, said Police prosecutor Sergeant Jodie Lawrence.

The 18-year-old then sped back up to 100km/h until reaching Chapel St where he slowed down again. Police caught up with him in the carpark of a hotel on Perry St where he admitted speeding, Mrs Lawrence said.

"He admitted driving at speeds of 130km/h ... he said it was because of peer pressure."

Defence lawyer Jessie Hunt said Lennox, who was about to start an automotive engineering course, was at a party when a friend phoned saying he was about to be beaten up.

He was remorseful, she said.

"That was his reason for going so fast ... He does apologise to the court.

"He was very lucky there were no other vehicles on the road. He hadn't been drinking ... It was more good luck than anything else.

"It's been somewhat of a wake up call for him."

Judge Bergseng said he was dumbfounded by Lennox's actions.

"It amazes me that no one was killed with the speed that you were going. I'm quite staggered ... you need to hang your head in shame for your behaviour," he said to Lennox.

Lennox was disqualified from driving for seven months, fined $750 and told to pay $130 court costs.

"One can only hope you have learnt from this. If you don't change you will be back before the court," the judge warned.