A PROPERTY tycoon who was clocked driving at 103mph claims he was rushing home to stop his dog from eating chocolate bars.

Richard Webb, 32, was caught speeding down the A1 near to the Gladsmuir junction by police officers carrying out a spot check on June 17 this year.

Webb, of Haddington, East Lothian, pleaded guilty to the charge and appeared for sentencing at Haddington Sheriff Court.

The court heard how Webb was speeding home at over 100mph after his hungry pet "had been left in the house alone".

The former chartered accountant discovered the sweet-toothed mutt had broken into a cupboard and munched his way through numerous chocolate bars.

It was claimed Webb, who owns a property investment company, then had to rush the dog to a vet for emergency treatment.

Defence agent Angela Craig said her client had held a clean licence for 15 years and had been rushing home as "his dog had been left in the house alone".

Ms Craig said: "He had been in Edinburgh on business that day and was rushing back home because his young Labrador had been left alone in the house.

"He was rushing as a consequence of that and didn't realise the speed he was doing, but recognises it was a significant speed over the limit.

"As it turned out when he got home the dog had got into a food cupboard and taken a lot of chocolate bars, which meant he had to take the dog to the vet so he was maybe right to be concerned about the young animal."

Ms Craig added that Webb "normally drives with care" and drove long distances to visit rental properties he owned and leased out.

Sheriff Peter Braid banned Webb for 50 days and fined him £250.