This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/7471134.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Speeding comic avoids driving ban | Speeding comic avoids driving ban |
(1 day later) | |
Comedian Patrick Kielty has escaped a driving ban after being caught speeding at more than 100mph in Scotland. | Comedian Patrick Kielty has escaped a driving ban after being caught speeding at more than 100mph in Scotland. |
The Northern Irish television star had admitted driving at 101mph on the Gretna to Stranraer road in December. | |
Kielty, 37, presenter of Fame Academy, was fined £1,200 and received six penalty points on his licence when he appeared at Stranraer Sheriff Court. | Kielty, 37, presenter of Fame Academy, was fined £1,200 and received six penalty points on his licence when he appeared at Stranraer Sheriff Court. |
Leaving court, he joked that the soaring price of petrol meant a ban would have saved him money. | Leaving court, he joked that the soaring price of petrol meant a ban would have saved him money. |
"I think it was a fair result," he said. | "I think it was a fair result," he said. |
"To be honest with you, with the price of petrol at the moment, I was sort of half looking forward to a ban." | "To be honest with you, with the price of petrol at the moment, I was sort of half looking forward to a ban." |
Kielty was caught by police carrying out speed checks on the A75 as he drove to catch the ferry to Northern Ireland for a family visit. | Kielty was caught by police carrying out speed checks on the A75 as he drove to catch the ferry to Northern Ireland for a family visit. |
'Busy day' | 'Busy day' |
His lawyer, Gerald Tierney, said Kielty normally flew and was therefore unfamiliar with the road. | His lawyer, Gerald Tierney, said Kielty normally flew and was therefore unfamiliar with the road. |
"Having had a busy day working in London, his concentration slipped," he told the court. | "Having had a busy day working in London, his concentration slipped," he told the court. |
"An error of judgment occurred." | "An error of judgment occurred." |
Mr Tierney spoke of Mr Kielty's involvement in "high-profile" charity events and smaller fundraisers such as golf tournaments. | Mr Tierney spoke of Mr Kielty's involvement in "high-profile" charity events and smaller fundraisers such as golf tournaments. |
He said it was these lesser-known charities which would suffer if Kielty was disqualified from driving. | He said it was these lesser-known charities which would suffer if Kielty was disqualified from driving. |
Sheriff Thomas Millar said he took into account the impact of a ban on the presenter's charity work. | Sheriff Thomas Millar said he took into account the impact of a ban on the presenter's charity work. |