A LEARNER driver has been disqualified after she was caught travelling at more than 130mph on the M25 in Essex.

Cydney Mantle was caught on camera driving at 132mph in a 70mph zone at Epping.

The 28-year-old only held a provisional driving licence, failed to display 'L' plates on the Audi car she was driving and was not permitted to be driving on a motorway.

After the offence, which was recorded at 11.30pm on September 13 last year, a Notice of Intended Prosecution was sent to her home address and she appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court last week.

Mantle told the court she drove the car to get home after a night out with her partner because he had been drinking and should not have been behind the wheel.

She gave no explanation for the excessive speed.

Mantle, of Blandford Road, Beckenham, Kent, was disqualified for six months, fined £220, ordered to pay £90 costs and a £22 victim surcharge.

The disqualification means she is banned from driving any vehicle on the road and will be unable to take driving lessons for this period of time.

Adam Pipe, casualty reduction manager at Essex Police, said: "Speed is a contributory factor to 60 per cent of collisions on the roads of Essex. Speeding risks and ruins lives and there are no excuses for such irresponsible driving behaviour.

"I hope this sends out a clear message to drivers and anyone thinking about learning to drive. Driving comes with responsibility and failure to abide by the rules of the road is taken seriously by the courts.

"We all have a responsibility to keep the roads of our county safe. My officers conduct regular speed checks and we have volunteer Community Speed Watch teams doing their bit across the county.

"If you’re concerned about speeding where you live, please let us know by emailing driving.complaints@essex.pnn.police.uk.”