British Army captain could face internal disciplinary action after driving Aston Martin at 130mph on A12 in Essex

The A12 at Dedham. Picture: GOOGLE MAPS Archant

A British Army captain who was allowed to keep his licence after being caught driving at speeds up to 130mph on the A12 could face internal disciplinary action.

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James Golding, a captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), was clocked travelling at between 100mph and 130mph in his Aston Martin DB9 along a stretch of the road at Dedham in July last year.

A spokesman for the British Army said those who have fallen short of the army’s high standards may face sanctions – including dismissal.

But the spokesman would not comment on the individual case of Mr Golding.

The 26-year-old Sandhurst graduate had been based at Wattisham Airfield, near Stowmarket, awaiting deployment overseas following his return from service in Paderborn, Germany.

Golding admitted driving a motor vehicle in excess of 70mph on a dual carriageway at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court, in Ipswich, last week.

Magistrates heard how Golding, from Upminster, east London, had previously been driving on sections of the German autobahn with no general speed limit.

He received six points on his licence and a £781 fine - a sentence which was criticised by many.

The decision not to ban the army captain from the road further angered campaigners and readers of this newspaper after the police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) admitted it could not be appealed.

A British Army spokesman said: “All those who are found to have committed an offence, including a criminal offence, under the Armed Forces Act 2006 are dealt with through the disciplinary process.

“Those who have otherwise fallen short of the Army’s high standards are dealt with administratively and may face sanctions including dismissal.

“We are not prepared to release any personal information about this individual.

“We have a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal information of our employees and there is no good reason to release personal information in this case.”

Speaking last week, Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “Whilst I don’t know the specific details of this case, I am shocked to hear that anyone should drive at this enormous speed on the A12.

“I cannot understand how anyone could ever think there is an excuse for this reckless and irresponsible attitude.”