Taxi driver and former bus driver fined for speeding

Thursday 08 February 2024

A taxi driver and former bus driver who “doesn’t seem to care very much about speeding” has avoided a driving ban.

However, Jose Albino Gomes Gouveia was fined £275 for the offence.

St Helier Centenier Lucy Fotheringham told the Magistrate’s Court that on 12 December, Gouveia (36) drove his silver BMW along Queen’s Road at 51mph when the speed limit was 30mph.

Gouveia works as a taxi driver but was not carrying a passenger at the time of the offence, at 23:25. He pleaded guilty to the charge of speeding.

Advocate George Pearce, defending, said the BMW was an automatic car – different from those Gouveia was used to driving – and said: “The acceleration took him by surprise.”

He added that Gouveia had three children to support so needed to retain his licence.

Gouveia had previous speeding offences dealt with at parish hall level, and Relief Magistrate Peter Harris said: “Your parish hall record is of someone who doesn’t seem to care too much about speeding.”

He agreed to impose the fine and endorse Gouveia’s licence for three years rather than ban him from driving, but warned him against reoffending, saying: “You will lose your licence next time.”