SCARBOROUGH, England, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- A British man spotted driving more than 60 mph with his hands folded behind his head was spared jail but banned from driving for a year.

Richard Newton, 36, told the court he was only "having a stretch" when a police camera recorded him driving more than 60 mph past Scaling Dam in Scarborough, England, with his hands behind his head and his knees controlling the steering wheel, the Mirror reported Monday.


Newton said he knew his method was "not the way you pass your driving test" but he said other motorists were not in danger during his "stretch."

Prosecutors said the camera recorded Newton driving hands-free for at least 30 seconds.

Newtown was found guilty of dangerous driving, but he was spared a possible jail sentence. He was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 100 hours of community service. He was also banned from driving for one year.