A DRUG driver hit speeds of 100mph on the A120 because he thought he was being followed.

Nathan Lawrence was driving his Audi TT in Marks Tey on Wednesday, December 20 when police officers spotted a sports car being driven at speed.

The officers, who were conducting a routine patrol, followed Lawrence for two miles towards Braintree.

Lawrence, 22, sped at 60mph in a 40mph zone, and 100mph in a 60mph zone before police pulled him over.

Offence - Nathan Lawrence hit speeds of 100mph on the A120 towards Braintree, Colchester Magistrates' Court heartOffence - Nathan Lawrence hit speeds of 100mph on the A120 towards Braintree, Colchester Magistrates' Court heard (Image: Google Street View)

When they spoke to Lawrence, officers noticed he had bloodshot eyes and told him they were going to conduct a drink driving test, to which the defendant replied he had recently used mouthwash.

Though Lawrence had not been drink driving, police then searched his car and found cannabis joints.

A drug test showed he had twice the legal limit of the drug in his system.

Lawrence, of Goring Road, Colchester, admitted drug driving, drug possession and driving a vehicle without due care and attention.

Anthony McKen, mitigating, told Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday that Lawrence thought he was being followed by someone known both to himself and a woman he was dating at the time.

Mr McKen said: “I have spoken to him and he explains why he was driving at such speed – it’s because he thought he was being followed.

“He explains that at the time prior to this incident he was receiving a number of messages from a boy friend of a female he was dating at the time.

“He didn’t take them seriously, but as he was travelling to meet this lady, he thought he was being followed by this man, which was not the case.

“Be that as it may, he accepts the Crown's evidence in full.”

Mr McKen said the defendant earned less than £1,000 a month.

Guilty - Nathan Lawrence admitted three charges, including driving without due care and attentionGuilty - Nathan Lawrence admitted three charges, including driving without due care and attention (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

He said: “He says he is self-employed working in wealth management – an online business he has.

“He tells me his grandfather is terminally ill with cancer and that revoking his driving licence will affect seeing him on a regular basis.”

Lawrence was disqualified from driving for 17 months and ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay costs of £199.