Jamie Ashley Higo (19) appeared in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday following the incident, which took place at 9pm on 8 August.
The court heard that the defendant had been travelling in the direction of Jersey Pearl when he was caught by a St Ouen Centenier near the Jersey Scout Centre. The officer said that beachgoers had parked their cars at the side of the road and there was a ‘moderate’ amount of traffic.
Advocate Luke Sette, defending, said that his client had entered an early guilty plea, had shown genuine remorse, was appearing in court for the first time and was only 19 years old.
He also spoke against an application made by the prosecution to seize Higo’s car from him – a £10,995 BMW 118 Sport – saying that it was ‘unusual’ and ‘disproportionate’.
‘It would be akin to a sentence of 12 months in prison,’ he said.
Advocate Sette added that Higo had obtained the car through a hire-purchase agreement and that the finance company could potentially therefore pursue his client for costs if a forfeiture order was made.
He added: ‘It is not only disproportionate in terms of the financial impact that it could have on Mr Higo but also disproportionate because he is a young man. It is the first time he has appeared in court and he has said this will be the last time.’
In sentencing, Assistant Magistrate Peter Harris allowed the defendant to keep his car but warned him that he could have killed someone.
‘This took place on the Five Mile Road in August. There would have been lots of people down there and you were driving at an obscene speed and you had a passenger in the car,’ he said. ‘You could have killed not just yourself but your friend, someone coming off the beach, children running away from their parents – if you had to steer to avoid them you could have ended up anywhere. Do you have any idea how far a car travels in just a matter of seconds when you are driving at that speed?’
He added: ‘The court has the power to sentence you to prison. But in prison, you will not be doing your apprenticeship and you will not be earning any money. But the message that has to be sent to you and all drivers in Jersey is that driving at this sort of speed will not be tolerated.’
Higo was fined £2,500 and was banned from driving for 18 months. He must retake his test if he wishes to get behind the wheel again.
Mr Harris added: ‘Should any of your friends mention this to you, you can tell them that if they drive at this sort of speed they are at risk of losing their car or motorcycle. I think the court will be minded to grant these [forfeiture] applications in the future.’
