THE managing director of a publishing company has been banned from driving after being caught doing 117mph in his Porsche sports car.

John Pethard, aged 45, accelerated from 70 to 117 miles per hour in a matter of seconds as he overtook another vehicle on the A46 dual carriageway, Worcester Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Suzanne Llewellyn, prosecuting, said there was not much traffic on the road at the time, on Saturday, April 13.

"He pulled out to overtake another vehicle and then exceeded the speed limit," she said. "He was doing a high speed for a short period of time."

Pethard admitted the speeding offence.

Mark Sheward, defending, said any ban could have a damaging effect on Pethard's business, which involved a lot of driving.

"It may result in the laying off of staff," he said. "He will have to consider how he can run the business without his vehicle."

Pethard, of Cheltenham Road, Broadway, near Evesham, had decided to get rid of his Porsche following the incident, said Mr Sheward.

"He says you can be doing over 100 miles an hour without noticing it," he said.

District judge David Chinnery banned Pethard for two months and fined him £700 with £35 costs.