Mini driver escapes ban for speeding at 100mph-plus twice in six days on same Northamptonshire stretch of M1

A Northampton woman escaped a driving ban despite being clocked at more than 100mph on the M1 twice in less than a week.

Anna Lopata, 34, admitted speeding at 105mph on June 2 last year and 109mph on June 8 while driving a Mini on the same northbound stretch of motorway between Junction 16 and Junction 17. The legal limit is 70mph.

She was snapped by an average speed camera system which measures mph using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology.

But Lopata, of Deal Court, Northampton avoided having her licence taken away after Wellingborough Magistrates Court heard she would lose her warehouse job, affecting other workers who relied on her for transport.

Magistrates fined her £353 for each offence and added six penalty points to her licence. She was also ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £71 and £85 costs.

Message from the editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper while doing your essential shop.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you