A biker raced through Sussex at speeds of 125mph, pulled wheelies and narrowly missed other motorists - unaware he was being filmed by police.

Simon Dowling’s “disgraceful” driving was caught on tape as he drove his high-powered sports bike along the A283 at Steyning until he was stopped the A27 at Lancing.

The 28-year-old of Marine Parade, Worthing, overtook cars in the face of on-coming traffic and at one point performed a wheelie as he left a roundabout.

His helmet and shoulder only just missed hitting bollards as he rounded a bend at 90mph near the old cement works at Upper Beeding.

But Dowling's "disgraceful" driving was being captured by an unmarked police bike and the film of his high-speed journey was shown when he admitted dangerous driving at Hove Crown Court.

Recorder James Dingemans QC told him: "It was a disgraceful piece of driving. You put not only yourself at risk, but others too.

"I have no doubt this was a moment of absolute madness in your life and you should be punished for it."

Ryan Richter, prosecuting, told the court it was about 4.15pm on Sunday, June 14 that the police motorcyclist spotted Dowling and another bike speeding together along the A283.

The officer was over-taking a Porsche on a rural stretch of the road when he was passed by the two bikers.

As he followed, he saw them repeatedly over-take vehicles while cars approached in the opposite direction.

Mr Richter said they also pulled across the double-white central line in the road to over-take.

At one time a third bike joined them as they sped along the road, which has several bends with limited visibility for drivers.

The court was told after Dowling was arrested his Honda CBR600F was seized by police but later returned to him.

Dowling, who works for EDF Energy in customer services and has no previous convictions, has since sold his beloved bike.

Andrew Stephens, defending, said: "The bike was his pride and joy.

"He has sold his motorcycle to take temptation away from his door."

Mr Stephens said Dowling was an experienced rider who had only had one speeding ticket in over eight years of riding a motorbike.

Dowling was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He must carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for 15 months. He must also pay costs of £1,500.

Derek Allen, the other biker arrested with Dowling, admitted dangerous driving at Crawley Magistrates Court at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to a one year community order and must carry out 150 hours unpaid work. He was banned for 15 months.

After the hearing Superintendent Steve Barry, head of road policing for Sussex Police, said: "Unfortunately motorcyclists account for approximately 30 per cent of all those killed and seriously injured on the roads of Sussex and we are therefore committed to reducing this number using a variety of tactics, which include education and enforcement.

"There is still a minority of riders who think they can blatantly disregard the law and we will actively target these individuals and put them before the courts."