A BIKER left devastated after his fiancee left him just before their wedding was caught speeding at 122mph on his bike, a court heard.

Police stopped Michael Joseph Bainbridge, 34, of Beckett Close, Bishop Auckland, for travelling at twice the speed limit on a single carriageway stretch of the A686 between Hartside and Alston in Cumbria, on June 24.

Bainbridge, a plumber for a Tyneside firm, said he would lose his job if he was banned - but was disqualified for 120 days and fined £250 by magistrates at Penrith.

In mitigation, Geyve Walker said Bainbridge became depressed after his relationship of 16 years ended.

"Almost immediately before the wedding his fiancee called the whole thing off," said Mr Walker. "Amid all of his problems he took his bike out that day."

Mr Walker said the incident was totally out of character for Bainbridge, previously the holder of a clean licence.