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Driving ban for speeding Henson | Driving ban for speeding Henson |
(4 days later) | |
Wales rugby star Gavin Henson has been banned from driving for a month after he was caught driving at 110mph (177kph) on the M4 motorway. | Wales rugby star Gavin Henson has been banned from driving for a month after he was caught driving at 110mph (177kph) on the M4 motorway. |
Henson was pulled over by police who followed his Mercedes on 6 September as he headed to London from south Wales. | Henson was pulled over by police who followed his Mercedes on 6 September as he headed to London from south Wales. |
Magistrates in Chippenham, Wiltshire, gave him a reduced one-month ban after hearing his charity work with children would suffer if he was unable to drive. | Magistrates in Chippenham, Wiltshire, gave him a reduced one-month ban after hearing his charity work with children would suffer if he was unable to drive. |
Henson, who admitted speeding, was also fined £1,850 and charged £35 costs. | Henson, who admitted speeding, was also fined £1,850 and charged £35 costs. |
Magistrates were told the Wales and Ospreys utility back was seen speeding by police carrying out spot checks on the M4 at 1320 BST on 6 September. | Magistrates were told the Wales and Ospreys utility back was seen speeding by police carrying out spot checks on the M4 at 1320 BST on 6 September. |
Henson spoke only to confirm his name and address in Cardiff, where he lives with singer Charlotte Church. | Henson spoke only to confirm his name and address in Cardiff, where he lives with singer Charlotte Church. |
Mr Henson will cope with any disqualification but it is the children who will miss out because of his charitable commitments Defence solicitor Jim Bennett | Mr Henson will cope with any disqualification but it is the children who will miss out because of his charitable commitments Defence solicitor Jim Bennett |
Officers followed his sports car for more than a mile eastbound during which his speed fluctuated between 100mph (161kph) and 110mph (177kph). | Officers followed his sports car for more than a mile eastbound during which his speed fluctuated between 100mph (161kph) and 110mph (177kph). |
The court heard that Henson, 24, told officers: ''I am very sorry. I am very disappointed in myself.'' | The court heard that Henson, 24, told officers: ''I am very sorry. I am very disappointed in myself.'' |
He admitted a speeding offence but his solicitor argued in court that a driving ban would mean the British Lion's charity work would suffer. | He admitted a speeding offence but his solicitor argued in court that a driving ban would mean the British Lion's charity work would suffer. |
His solicitor, Jim Bennett, handed a list of Henson's charitable appointments to the magistrates. | His solicitor, Jim Bennett, handed a list of Henson's charitable appointments to the magistrates. |
'Recognisable face' | 'Recognisable face' |
Mr Bennett told them: ''You may recognise Mr Henson as a rugby player for Ospreys and for Wales. | Mr Bennett told them: ''You may recognise Mr Henson as a rugby player for Ospreys and for Wales. |
''He has a recognisable face and puts it to good use and this letter confirms it. The letter contains his charitable appointment diary. | ''He has a recognisable face and puts it to good use and this letter confirms it. The letter contains his charitable appointment diary. |
''Mr Henson will cope with any disqualification but it is the children who will miss out because of his charitable commitments.'' | ''Mr Henson will cope with any disqualification but it is the children who will miss out because of his charitable commitments.'' |
Chairwoman of the bench, Jeanette Hawker, said they had taken into account his busy charity schedule and early guilty plea when deciding their sentence. | Chairwoman of the bench, Jeanette Hawker, said they had taken into account his busy charity schedule and early guilty plea when deciding their sentence. |
She said: ''We have listened to your defence solicitor and we have read this letter and we have taken into account your guilty plea and reduced some of the disqualification accordingly. | She said: ''We have listened to your defence solicitor and we have read this letter and we have taken into account your guilty plea and reduced some of the disqualification accordingly. |
''You are going to be disqualified for 28 days from today and you must not drive any motor vehicle. | ''You are going to be disqualified for 28 days from today and you must not drive any motor vehicle. |
''Please don't have the keys of a car in your pocket or sit in the drivers seat as that could be construed as breaking the order.'' | ''Please don't have the keys of a car in your pocket or sit in the drivers seat as that could be construed as breaking the order.'' |
Henson is waiting to find out if he will be selected for Wales' upcoming autumn internationals which include games against New Zealand and Australia. | Henson is waiting to find out if he will be selected for Wales' upcoming autumn internationals which include games against New Zealand and Australia. |