Driving ban for East 17s Harvey

BBC, Monday 3rd March 2008

East 17 singer Brian Harvey has been banned from driving for six months after being found guilty of going nearly double the speed limit.

The 33-year-old was pulled over by police on the M4 between Chippenham and Swindon last May.

Police told Chippenham Magistrates' Court how they had reached speeds of 138mph catching Harvey.

Harvey, who had been returning home to London after a concert, denied an offence of speeding.

Representing himself, he claimed police saw another car speed past them but lost it in the chase and stopped the wrong car.

He also claimed the officers' eyesight was defective and that they were lying.

Chief magistrate Michael Sutton imposed a 180-day driving ban, a £150 fine and ordered Harvey to pay court costs of £240.

Harvey, speaking outside court, said: "The magistrates were very lenient and I appreciate that."