A teenager caught speeding on a scooter was found to be banned from riding it.

Nathan Batten from Maidstone had been on a Piaggio Fly 125 bike when a camera flashed him doing 52mph in a 40mph zone in Chatham.

A letter from the police was sent to the registered owner asking who the rider was at the time the offence was committed, and Batten nominated himself as the rider.

Police checks revealed 18-year-old Batten was banned from driving and as a result, he was charged with two offences – driving while disqualified and speeding.

He appeared before magistrates in Maidstone on Tuesday (August 15) and admitted both offences.

Prosecutor Christina Rowberry told the court Batten, of Wordsworth Road, Penendend Heath, was riding along the A229 Maidstone Road on January 21 this year.

She added: “He was driving at excess speed by the Asda supermarket and the business estate there as there is a camera.

“He was honest and nominated himself, but he was on an 18-month ban he’d been given in February 2022 for driving without a licence and insurance and aggravated vehicle-taking.”

Magistrates decided to adjourn sentencing and ordered a pre-sentencing report be carried out on Batten.

Chairman of the bench, Diane Chambers, said: “This is a serious offence and you have a bit of a chequered history and you are only 18, use this as a turning point in your life.”

Batten was granted bail and will be sentenced at the same court on November 29.