Driver caught doing 70mph in the fast lane with his leg out the window

A 'stupid' motorist has been banned from the roads after police caught him driving at 70mph on the motorway with his leg sticking out of his car window. James Nunns, aged 27, told police he had to stretch his right leg because of cramp while driving in the outside lane of the M18. But instead of pulling over to the hard shoulder Nunns carried on driving using just his left leg.

Judge Recorder Peter Babb was shown a police video of Nunns' Ford Escort which showed the lower half of his leg hanging out of the offside window. Nunns, of Grangefield Avenue, Rossington, Doncaster, who has a previous conviction for drink driving, admitted dangerous driving in September last year but was given a community sentence. He must complete 200 hours' unpaid work, attend a five-day responsible road users' group course, and take an extended driving test after a two-year ban expires.



As he left Doncaster Crown Court the decorator said he was "relieved and happy" not to go to jail and vowed: "I'm never going to drive again. I'm just happy and grateful not to be going down for this," he said. Christopher Tonge, prosecuting, told the court Nunns was heading northbound to junction two when police in a marked patrol car noticed him sitting "very low as though reclining" and saw part of his right leg and foot sticking out of the driver's door window.

"The brake lights illuminated which showed he was braking with his left foot, and the car fishtailed about in the lane, indicating it was not under full control - bearing in mind the fact that there should be two feet on the pedals," said Mr Tonge. Richard Thyne, defending, said Nunns acknowledged what he did was stupid and irresponsible, and said he would probably lose his girlfriend and his job if he was jailed, and his parents might disown him. Sentencing, Recorder Babb told Nunns: "I don't think anyone in this court can conceive why you did it."