An Ilkley GP who admitted speeding in his Porsche 911 on the A59 near Addingham has hung on to his licence after magistrates accepted his patients would suffer.

Graeme Summers, 41, was recorded doing 86mph on the 50mph section of Beamsley Hill at just after 6pm on September 26, Skipton magistrates heard on Friday.

He was not banned from driving, but instead fined £860, his licence endorsed with six penalty points with costs of £85 and victim’s surcharge of £86.

Summers, who had earlier admitted speeding by letter, was told to appear in court on Friday as magistrates were considering a ban because of his excessive speed.

He told magistrates it had been a momentary lapse of judgment and that a ban would impact on his work colleagues who would have to cover all home call-outs – apart from those he could reach by bike. He was also concerned about not being able to make home visits to patients nearing the end of their lives.

He added that he had sold the Porsche and moved from Harrogate to Easby Drive, Ilkley, to be closer to his practice.

Magistrates, who were told Summers had a clean driving licence, decided against a ban but ordered him to pay a total of £1,031 within 14 days and endorsed his licence with six penalty points.