MOTORISTS caught speeding over 100 mph must face tough penalties when they appear before the courts - that was the verdict from people on the streets of Newport yesterday.

This week two high profile motorists - one an international footballer, the other an Army tank commander, both escaped bans after being caught driving at over 100mph on Gwent roads.

Royal Army tank commander Richard John Moger, was clocked travelling 108mph on the M4 at Magor while Cardiff City and former Wales international John Robinson was caught travelling at 101mph by a speed camera on the A449 near Abergavenny.

Chairman David Henley sitting at Newport magistrates court on Monday fined Moger, aged 27, £800 while 33-year-old Robinson received a £300 fine.

In both cases the bench withdrew the drivers' bans after the defendants pleaded exceptional circumstances as to why they should keep their licences. They were each given six penalty points.

The sentences were criticised by road safety group, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, who called for tougher sentences to be imposed on motorists travelling over 100 mph.

We asked the people of Newport what they thought about the cases.

Margaret Palfrey, of Christchurch, Newport said: "There is no need to go that fast. Nobody would stand a chance - there are innocent people out there."

Bronislaw Kondraiowicz, 81, of Newport agreed: "I think if you're travelling at 100 mph and over it doesn't matter what your circumstances are. It is wrong, you could hurt someone in the process."

Carl Wright, 33, of Crindau, Newport said mitigating circumstances should be considered.

"They should take individual circumstances into consideration," he said. "If it is an emergency like rushing to hospital then it is OK, but just speeding is not right."

His wife Maria, 34, said: "I suppose it depends on different circumstances.

"It would have to be a really good reason for someone to travel at that speed but at the end of the day if that driver causes an accident they have to deal with the consequences."

Stephen Roberts, 54, of Newport said: "They should treat all cases as individuals and it should depend on the case."

And Annette Johnson, 41, of Maesglas said the rule should be the same for everyone: " I don't think they should get away with it. They know they are breaking the law. Going 100mph and over is excessive and they should stick with giving instant bans.

"People like that are too dangerous to be behind the wheel of a car."