Portuguese national Jose Real had been in England just three months when he was pulled over by police in Leicestershire.

He later told them it was his first time on a motorway and he was overwhelmed by the British road system.

Real, from Wembley in Middlesex, admitted driving carelessly between junctions 21 and 22 at a hearing at Leicester Crown Court on Monday.

He was fined £165 and given six points on his licence.

Visiting friends

The car-park attendant and father-of-two was pulled over by police on 7 April after they had reports of a slow-moving vehicle on the M1.

Chris Kessling, prosecuting, said police saw a van having to undertake the car before Real pulled over onto the hard shoulder.

Real was visiting friends in Leicester at the time of the incident.

Judge Michael Stokes QC urged him to drive faster on motorways in future.

He added he hoped a Portuguese court would treat a Briton with such understanding.