Man fined for driving above 40mph on the motorway in an Audi

A man has been fined for driving above 40mph in an Audi on the M23.

James Atkins, 28, of Connell Drive, Brighton and Hove, appeared before Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Edward Street on April 8, 2026, where he made a statutory declaration following a previous conviction handed down in his absence.

Atkins had originally been convicted by a single magistrate at Crawley Magistrates’ Court on November 4, 2025 for exceeding a temporary 40mph speed restriction on the M23 motorway, and for failing to give information relating to the identification of the driver of the vehicle.

Under section 16E of the Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, he made a statutory declaration at Brighton, allowing the case to be reopened and reheard.

Atkins was driving above the temporary 40mph speed limit (Image: Martin Addison)

The court heard that on April 10, 2025, Atkins drove an Audi on the M23 between Junction 10A and Junction 11 near Tilgate Forest, at a speed exceeding the temporary 40mph limit in force on that stretch of motorway. The offence was captured by manned speed enforcement equipment.

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A second charge related to an incident on May 15, 2025 at Shoreham, when Atkins failed to give Sussex Police information identifying the driver of the same Audi. That charge was withdrawn in favour of the speeding offence.

Atkins pleaded guilty on April 8, 2026 and was fined £205 by magistrates. He was also ordered to pay a victim services surcharge of £82 and costs of £85, bringing his total bill to £372, to be paid by May 6, 2026.

His driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points, and the DVLA has been notified of the endorsement.

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