A TEENAGE mechanic who got up in the middle of the night to help a friend in need has been fined over £300 and received four penalty points for speeding.

Filip Filipiak had been travelling along the A458 between Trewern and Middletown just after midnight on December 4 last year as he’d gotten out of bed and answered the call of a friend who’d broken down. The 18-year-old overtook police officers, who subsequently followed him and observed him travelling at a speed of 80 miles an hour in a 50mph zone.

Filipiak, who was driving a Volvo C30, admitted a charge of speeding when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 9 – although he pleaded guilty on the basis that his speed was 70mph, not 80. That basis was accepted by the prosecution.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the incident happened at around 12.30am. “Officers were in a marked vehicle when another vehicle passed them; they described it as travelling ‘very quickly’,” said Ms Tench.

“They paced it with a police speedometer, (and observed it driving above the limit) on a stretch of road in a 50mph zone. The defendant was stopped and spoken to.”

David Matthews, representing Filipiak, of Brook Street, Welshpool, said his client was adamant he had not been driving at 80mph.

“There was no allegation of bad driving,” said Mr Matthews.

“There was some confusion regarding his speed; he did acknowledge his guilt, only the speed was a matter of debate.

“They stopped him, checked he wasn’t drink driving or drug driving, and both were negative.

“Mr Filipiak is a mechanic and had been out to assist a friend who had suffered a burst tyre. He went out in the middle of the night to help him change a wheel, near Shrewsbury.

“He is a young man who has always worked hard. He is coming towards the end of his apprenticeship. He is spoken of very highly by his employer. He is a very good employee who works very hard and is punctual.

“He has no previous convictions and no points on his licence. This comes as a blow as his licence is very important to him as a mechanic. He works 6 days a week.”

Magistrates placed 4 points on Filipiak’s licence and fined him £250. He must also pay £85 costs and a £34 surcharge.