A BIKER who was once clocked doing 155mph died in a crash caused by his "outrageous" speed, an inquest was told yesterday.

Lee Beddis, 37, of Blaina, died after his Suzuki 1000cc bike hit a car on a country road on September 16 last year and could have been doing more than 100mph, the Newport inquest was told.

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, deputy coroner Wendy James said: "It is apparent that Mr Beddis was driving at such an excessive speed that he was unable to take any effective, evasive action."

Miss James said if an inquest could apportion blame, she would have "no hesitation in finding that Mr Beddis was the author of his own misfortune". She said: "He failed to consider the safety of not only himself but also of other road users.

"The sole reason for Mr Beddis's death was the outrageous speed at which he was travelling on a quiet country lane."

In 2002, we revealed that Mr Beddis drove on the Heads of the Valleys Road between Abergavenny and Gilwern at 155mph - then the fastest ever recorded by a UK speed camera, Cardiff crown court heard.

He was sentenced to a 180 hours community punishment order, and banned from driving for 12 months.

Yesterday's inquest was told that Mr Beddis was passionate about bikes and began riding when he was 17. At about 7.40am on the day of the crash, he was driving along the B4598 near Usk to work as a fabricator.

Witness to the crash Leslie James Williams said: "He had to be travelling at more than 100mph. The bike was squealing - he was travelling too fast."

Emma Grindle, driving her Peugeot 106, pulled out of Troestry Common and was turning right when the bike struck from behind.

Mr Beddis was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, where he died. Miss Grindle was treated for injuries to her face, leg, back and hands. A post-mortem examination found Mr Beddis died of multiple injuries.