122mph A361 biker released from prison
THE Barnstaple biker jailed for riding at 122mph on the North Devon link road has been released from prison.
Robert Bennett, 47, was sentenced to six months in prison by a judge at Exeter Crown Court.
But he was freed after serving eight weeks and three days. He remains tagged and under curfew.
Bennett, from Appletree Close, Whiddon Valley, pleaded guilty to speeding.
The court heard that his 14-year-old son was riding pillion when police clocked him at 122mph on the A361 — more than double the 60mph speed limit. This week, in an interview with Motorcycle News, cleaning supervisor Mr Bennett said: "My boss has told me I have to reapply for my job, and while I'm at it I might as well apply for others. I don't know how I'm going to pay the mortgage."
Bennett said disbelief at his jail sentence was immediate: "No-one in court could believe it. The officer who handcuffed me and led me downstairs said 'I can't believe it'.
"One of the prison officers told me 'Christ almighty, I was doing 134mph at the weekend!' It was like a nightmare."
Of his time inside Bennett said: "Prison was bloody awful. I spent four weeks locked up 22 hours out of 24. There were kiddy fiddlers, batterers, burglars. I was threatened, called a nonce. And all this for my first ever motoring offence."
While in prison Mr Bennett's mortgage was paid by a sympathetic businessman who read about his conviction.
Bennett said: "That was the most upset I got during prison. I was so moved. It came out of the blue.
"I just don't know where I go from here. It's not a good time to be out of work with a criminal record."
Bennett, who had a stroke seven years ago and suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure, sold his Suzuki GSXR 1300cc Hayabusa after he was caught speeding.










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by Mark, Germany (home town Landkey)
Friday, May 29 2009, 10:34PM
“I live and work in germany, I drive most weekends to my in laws some 60 miles away with my wife and 5 year old daughter in the car. I pass German police at 110 mph + and they dont bater an eye lid. Also if you stop at the services there are fathers with thier teenage sons on the back of thier bikes and they ride no slower than I drive. In Germany the law is comon sense, if its raining slow down, if theres a corner adjust your speed, if theres a junction a speed limit comes in place. why cant we have this in the uk? my wife had a driving lesson and the instructor had her drive at 180kmh (111mph). The UK is going wrong some where. very wrong. I'mm not sure if Iwant to come back!
Mr Bennett if you fancy a holiday come over to mine, drive as fast as you like (with in reason) and not get nicked!”
by k, n.devon
Sunday, May 24 2009, 4:46PM
“who gives a monkeys the guy was out enjoying himself and got caught out we all like speeding its good fun i did 160 in a porshe in the outback of australia and would do it all again balls to u boring people who always live by the rules x and i know thats gonna pee people off! lol”
by Injured Pedestrian, North Devon
Friday, May 22 2009, 10:14PM
“This guy should have served his time. As a pedestrian injured by a reckless road user (i was in the pavement) and will be disabled my whole life due to someone like this. "don't know how I'll pay the mortgage" should have thought about that before committing the crime! Hey Big T, this wasn't just speeding..this was criminal speeding Dangerous driving and putting his son's life at risk.
The police who shot deMenezez were doing their job! Trying to stop the potential death's of numerous members of the public, in a fortnight of very high tensions, they carried out orders. This guy did this by choice, he endangered his own son, by choice, he committed a crime, by choice...could have stuck to the law, by choice, but chose NOT to. This country is too soft, if more got banged up then crime in general would fall!”
by roy morrish, Fremington
Friday, May 22 2009, 1:22PM
“I bet it did not take him long to get home from prison...”
by gareth, Cheltenham
Friday, May 22 2009, 9:52AM
“I bet Mr Bennett wishes he was a Policeman then he could ride his motorcycle at any speeds he wanted. To quote George Orwell "everyone is equal except some are more equal than others"
Quite apt he used PIGS as the leaders and the corrupt ones. "Do as we say not as we do"”
by Big T, Combe Martin
Friday, May 22 2009, 9:20AM
“This man should never have been sent to prison in the first place.
The offence he commited was one of a speeding offence, he did not injure or kill anyone and in my opinion put anyone's life in danger on a motorcycle built to do 190 mph. The judge is completely out of touch with reality and I think based his sentence on what "may" have happened but didn't, therefore he should have given him a hefty ban and fine and penalty points but certainly not a prison sentence.
I for one hope he has good luck finding employment and can now put this split second blip behind him.
Leave the bloke alone and stop making him out to be some sort of criminal as 98 per cent of all of us have broken the speed limit at some time or another, maybe by not so much, but the law has been broken!”
by hazec, Shropshire
Friday, May 22 2009, 8:09AM
“This man broke the law and risked his son's life - he got what he deserved! And prison is supposed to be "bloody awful" - thats the point mate!! Hopefully now you will think again before breaking the law again.”
by richard, Beckenham
Thursday, May 21 2009, 8:29PM
“The Boss,
for Gods sake the story is about a bike rider doing 122mph not about an illegal immigrant being shot because a group of police officers were told he was a terrorist about to blow up a tube train!”
by The Boss, .
Thursday, May 21 2009, 8:05PM
“Why weren't the prosecuted, oh yes, they were POLICE acting on behalf of the public, typical old excuse.”
by Richard, Beckenham
Thursday, May 21 2009, 6:21PM
“The boss,
you don't get the point, Bennett was found guilty by a court, the police who killed De menzes were not prosecuted. A big, very big difference.”