A 37-year-old Antrim man has been banned from driving for a month and fined £200 after being caught speeding at 72mph in a 40mph zone.

William Glover, of Birch Hill Park in Antrim town, was detected driving at 72mph in the restricted zone on May 10 this year. The exact location of the offence was not disclosed in court.

At Antrim Magistrates Court in Ballymena on Tuesday, District Judge Nigel Broderick noted that Glover is a duty manager at a leisure centre and also works as a part-time firefighter.

Judge Broderick told Glover that in his role as a part-time firefighter, he more than anyone should understand the implications of speeding and the consequences it can have, including road traffic collisions resulting in serious injury or fatality.

Character references were provided to the court from Alderman John Smyth, a current councillor and former mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, and from a Fire and Rescue Service commander.

In his reference, Alderman Smyth wrote that Glover admits he has been heavy on the pedal but he believes he has learned his lesson and will endeavour not to do this again.

A defence solicitor said Glover sincerely regrets the offence, which happened where a 40mph zone becomes a 70mph zone, and that he should know better.

The judge described the speed as far too high, noting that Glover was doing a motorway speed in a 40mph zone.

Glover was disqualified from driving for one month and fined £200.