Sydney, Nov.17: A Gosford local court has given a reprieve to former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh for speeding yesterday in his BMW.

Magistrate Gary Cox handed Waugh a two-year good behaviour bond yesterday for speeding, but couldn't help but be impressed by the car the latter was caught in.

"You're probably the only BMW driver that has rocked up to the (traffic offenders) program - most are driving beat-up old Holdens," news.com.au quoted Cox, as saying.

He said Waugh's attendance at the program's six two-hour sessions would also have been "a salutary experience" for other young offenders who were also in attendance.

Waugh, 42, of Mardi on the Central Coast, was clocked driving 123km/h in an 80km/h zone on the New England Highway, just south of the town of Wingen on May 8.

When pulled over by police he said he "didn't even realise he was in an 80km/h zone". He pleaded guilty to the offence in Scone Court in July.

Yesterday Waugh's solicitor Michael Bowe said his client had received "glowing" references from friends, including broadcaster Alan Jones and former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor.

A letter written by Jones tendered to the court said Waugh had felt as though he had "betrayed himself" by speeding, and had realised it could affect his business ventures.

"Married as he is to successful racehorse trainer Kim Waugh, Mark is very mindful that any punishment which results in the loss of his license could significantly affect his capacity to pursue his business at a level needed to secure success," Jones wrote.

Taylor said Waugh's oversight had been an "error in judgment".

"He understands his actions are often scrutinised in the public domain and knows that he must be mindful in setting a good example, particularly to the younger generation," Taylor wrote.

Bowe told the court Waugh was approaching Wingen from the south, and that "the town just comes upon you ... without a warning".

The court heard that Waugh had also been caught speeding by less than 15km/h in 1993 and 2001.

Magistrate Cox ruled Waugh would face no conviction for the May 8 offence if he abided by the good behaviour bond.

When approached by The Daily Telegraph outside the court, Waugh said he was "pleased with the outcome". (ANI)