Ex-champion rally driver, 67, caught speeding at almost twice the speed limit is spared punishment – after court heard he was rushing to hospital after severing an ear in a freak accident

• Graham Middleton, 67,  was caught driving at almost twice the speed limit

A former champion rally driver caught at almost twice the speed limit was spared a punishment as he was rushing to hospital after severing an ear in a freak accident.

Graham Middleton, 67, was unloading his shopping last winter when he slipped on ice and hit the side of his head on the bootlid of his car, causing the agonising injury.

After stemming the bleeding, the former UK champion drove himself to Hereford County Hospital, where following a lengthy wait in A&E he was told there was a risk of gangrene if the wound wasn’t patched up within six hours.

A surgeon at Worcestershire Royal Hospital was available to operate on him in the middle of the night, so the company director got back behind the wheel – but during the 30-mile journey, he was flashed doing 53mph in a 30mph zone.

As he recuperated, Middleton responded to the speeding ticket by asking for a hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court to explain the circumstances.

Graham Middleton, 67, was unloading his shopping last winter when he slipped on ice and hit the side of his head on the bootlid of his car, causing the agonising injury

But instead it was dealt with in his absence. Typically such offences result in six penalty points, a hefty fine and a short ban. 

In an unusual legal move, Middleton made a statutory declaration – a statement under oath that he was unaware of the conviction – to his local magistrates court in Llandrindod Wells, mid Wales.

There, magistrates agreed to reopen the case, enabling Middleton – who in 1989 beat rivals including rally legend the late Colin McRae to the UK title – to argue his point.

At a hearing last week, he said he did not feel he deserved to be punished because the incident happened at 3.30am, he was not causing a danger and it was a medical emergency, the Mid Wales Journal reported.

Middleton, of Crossgates, Powys, also stressed he previously had a clean licence and lives in a rural area.

The incident happened at Leigh Sinton near Worcester on the A4103 on January 20.

The businessman continues to compete in rallies driving a Hyundai kit car, but it is not known whether he told JPs about his motor racing proficiency.

They accepted his special reasons argument after he pleaded guilty to speeding and imposed an absolute discharge – wishing him luck with his ear.

In addition, the court did not impose any penalty points or order him to pay costs as it was a medical emergency and the risk to other road users was ‘minimal’.

A five times winner of the Mid Wales Stages rally, Middleton made a comeback with a podium place in the 2019 Pirelli Welsh Rally Championship.

He was approached for comment.

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