Elliot James George Bedford, 19, fined for hurtling down Forest Highway at more than 170km/h

A Donnybrook teenager caught hooning down Forest Highway at more than 170km/h in his mother’s car has received a hefty fine from the court for his “complete lack of awareness”.

Elliot James George Bedford, 19, appeared in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Monday for sentencing on the reckless driving charge.

At 7.46pm on January 28, Bedford was hurtling down Forest Highway near West Coolup in his mother’s Subaru Impreza, where speed cameras captured him travelling at 178km/h.

The teen’s duty lawyer told the court the young driver was returning from Perth when he was travelling on the road that was free of traffic at the time, and “didn’t realise” how fast he had been going.

The court was told Bedford expressed “significant remorse” for his wrongdoing and had recently completed a road safety traffic course which “open his eyes” to the consequences of such actions.

Police prosecution emphasised the danger of travelling at such high speeds, particularly on a school holiday weekend on such a thoroughfare, admitting it was a “scary” feat having done so themselves as an officer.

Defence applied for a spent conviction but it was refused by the court.

Magistrate Benjamin Tyers handed down a $1700 fine for the charge, with additional court costs, along with a six-month licence disqualification.

He said it was “concerning” the boy had not recognised his speed, describing him as having a “complete lack of awareness” on the road.