A PORSCHE driver was clocked travelling at 61mph on a 30mph road as he took a friend who believed she had coronavirus to hospital, a court heard.

A speed camera van caught psychotherapist Krog Crosthwaite on the one-way Ironworks Road in Barrow as he drove at more than twice the legal limit, a court heard.

The 59-year-old told magistrates he was helping a friend on Walney Island.

Crosthwaite, of Holbeck Park Avenue, left her there then received a telephone call from he saying she was feeling unwell and thought she had Covid-19.

The court heard instead of dialling 999 he thought it would quicker to drive her to hospital himself.

He admitted he thought this was a 'a genuine mercy dash by him to get her to hospital'.

He said he thought the stretch of road was a dual-carriageway but that he now knows this is incorrect.

He appeared at North and West Cumbria Magistrates Court in Carlisle where he was sentenced after previously admitting a charge of speeding.

The offence happened on September 2.

Court papers show the car registration has a personalised plate.

He said he acted in good faith in the circumstances, and apologised.

He said he saw the speed camera van as he was overtaking a taxi and slowed down immediately.

He told the court he drives a Porsche Boxer and it can be fast and was embarrassed to be in court.

He was fined £300 and told to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £32.

There was also six penalty points placed on his licence.