As the vast majority of motorists are well aware, the A11 was not designed to test drive sports cars at breakneck speed.

Most would assume that those who repeatedly did so would lose their licence for some considerable time.

Not so, it would seem, if you are the boss of Lotus sport cars.

Jean-Marc Gales, 54, was clocked doing 102mph in a 70mph zone as he test drove one of his company’s new luxury models near its Norwich headquarters.

He had already notched up eight points on his licence but managed to persuade a magistrate that it was imperative not to gain any more so as to ensure he could continue to test drive new motors himself.

Simon Nicholls, defending, told Norwich magistrates' court that a short ban rather than more points would a better option all round.