A SCHOOLTEACHER who was clocked speeding on the notorious Ilminster bypass at 88mph avoided a driving ban when she appeared before magistrates.

PE teacher Jasmine Jade Wilson was late for her journey to Heathfield Community School in Taunton to take students on a rugby trip when she put her foot down and exceeded the speed limit by 28 mph.

The court at Yeovil was also told that the defendant was also in line to start training to drive the school mini bus to take students to sporting fixtures with other schools.

Her headteacher had written a letter supporting Wilson and saying that more than six penalty points on her licence could jeopardise that training taking place.

Wilson, 24, of St James Mews, South Petherton, pleaded guilty to exceeding the 60mph speed limit on the A303 Ilminster bypass on February 14.

In sentencing the defendant chairman of the bench Roger Allen said that there had been a number of deaths on the Ilminster bypass in recent weeks. “Driving at 88mph in a 60mph zone is not necessary and very irresponsible,” he said.

They fined her £235 and endorsed her licence with five penalty points and ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £24 victim surcharge.

The court heard that the offence occurred shortly before 8.30am on February 14.

The defendant’s Peugeot vehicle was seen driving along the stretch of the A303 at a speed of 88mph when there was a 60mph limit in force.

A reference from her headteacher, Peter Hoare, said that Wilson was “extremely conscientious” and particularly successful at engaging with disadvantaged students at the school where she worked.

He said that she now wanted to undertake a mini bus test to enable her to take students to sports fixtures and the offence could jeopardise this training.

The court heard that on the day in question she had not felt well and was late leaving for the school to accompany students on a rugby trip to Twickenham.

She also had a seven year unblemished driving record and was distressed that the offence could now hold her back.