Anne Robinson Banned From Driving

BBC, 10th July 2008

Television presenter Anne Robinson has been banned from driving for six months after admitting a speeding offence.

The Weakest Link presenter was not at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court in Hampshire to hear the charge.

The 63-year-old admitted by post that she drove at 43mph (69km/h) in a 30mph (48km/h) zone in Anglesey Road, Portsmouth, on 8 August last year.

She was fined £100 with £50 costs. She received four penalty points, which were added to the 9 on her licence.

Robinson had been caught by a speed camera as she drove her Audi A3 car out of the city after disembarking a ferry from the Isle of Wight.

Michael McGoldrick, mitigating, said Robinson had not seen the camera as she was disorientated by the road system on her first ever visit there.

"It was a Sunday morning," he said.

"Following the signs to the A3 she found herself heading to Gunwharf Quays (retail centre) and realised she was off course.

"She turned around and while trying to leave Portsmouth she failed to spot that she was in a restricted speed area."

Mr McGoldrick said the disqualification would cause "significant inconvenience" to Robinson as she travelled between 40,000 and 50,000 miles a year in her car.

He added: "My client accepts that she will be disqualified and she wanted me to apologise for what happened and apologise for taking up the court's time."

Magistrate Peter Mellor gave her four penalty points, which meant she was disqualified under totting up as she already had nine points for three previous speeding convictions.

They were in September 2005, March 2006 and June 2007.

"I am sorry she won't have a very pleasant memory of her first visit to Portsmouth," said Mr Mellor.