David Mayes, 34, was captured on camera in July last year on Halifax Road, near Browning Road, Grenoside, Sheffield.

Yesterday the South Yorkshire policeman was banned from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to two counts of careless driving.

He was also fined £400 for both offences, which he committed in the early hours of the morning.

Mayes has already been suspended from front-line duties and faces misconduct proceedings.

Malcolm Christy, prosecuting at Halifax Magistrates' Court, told how on both occasions his hands were off the wheel.

The speed limit was 40mph, but Mayes was driving at 68mph and 73mph.

Mr Christy said: "He was legitimately driving at these speeds – it is the lack of care not the speed.''

In mitigation, Tom Nutter said the married father-of-two was full of remorse.

"It was an episode of complete stupidity and his behaviour was wholly uncharacteristic," he said.

"He is wholly remorseful. His actions not only impact on his standing but on the South Yorkshire constabulary and the wider police service as a whole.''

He added: "He has not been suspended from work. However, he has been removed from front-line policing and placed on restricted duties.

"He has also been prevented from driving any police vehicle since August 4.

"He will have to face internal disciplinary procedures. He would like to express his shame and remorse for having to come before the courts.

"He fully recognises that in acting as he did not only did his driving fall below the standard expected but his conduct fell below what was expected of a serving police officer.''

Chairman of the bench Andrew Entwistle said: "You exhibited a blatant disregard for the safety of other road users and failed to take into account the risk to the passengers.''

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Police said: "His conduct fell well below what we and the public expect of our officers and he now faces misconduct proceedings.

"This type of behaviour will not be tolerated. We have taken a robust stance which has ended with a prosecution and a court appearance.

"At the moment he remains suspended from driving and removed from public duties.''