High profile speeding cases

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There’s always been a link between the rich and famous and fast cars. But every now and again their need-for-speed will end up landing them in trouble.

Here are ten cases of well known stars of stage, screen and sport who have flouted speeding laws and the punishment that was dished out to them.

Katie Price

The model and reality TV star was banned from driving for a year after claiming she did not see two speeding tickets because she never opens her own mail. She told magistrates they were for a Range Rover which was left ‘going to waste’ on her driveway. Despite much hilarity in the courtroom when prosecuting barrister Gudrun Fama admitted she had no idea who Price was, the star was ordered to pay a £400 fine along with £350 costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

Britney Spears

It seems one of the best lines you can use after being stopped by police in Los Angles is “the paparazzi were chasing me.” Well it worked for Britney Spears anyway. After being tailed for almost a mile with lights flashing and siren on when she was caught breaking the speed limit, Spears eventually pulled off the highway as cops surrounded her car. After a strong talking to, the singer was eventually let off with just a warning.

Jodie Foster

Famed for her performances in front of the camera since she was a child, this was one appearance Ms Foster was not prepared for. The camera crew riding with a Los Angeles Police car – filming for the reality show “Speeders”- couldn’t believe their luck when the latest driver to be pulled over was a famous film star. She was issued a ticket for travelling at 50mph in a 35mph zone, but viewers missed out on her rant as she refused to sign a waiver to allow the footage to go out on TV.

Rio Ferdinand

England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand obviously didn’t learn his lesson. Days after returning to the driver’s seat, following a six month ban for a previous speeding offence, Ferdinand was given three penalty points on his licence and a £200 fine when he was caught speeding just outside Manchester. The punishment was several times more than the usual fine but the magistrate apparently took into account his previous endorsements.

Gerard Butler

Despite being caught doing 100mph in a 65mph limit, Butler dodged a ticket in Los Angeles after telling Police he was “here to save the world.” According to the “Dark Knight” star he told cops he was getting into character for his latest role in “Olympus Has Fallen” and they let him go with just a warning.

Justin Beiber

Not one, not two, but SIX speeding fines are what the Canadian pop star collected on his recent trip to Dubai. He was allegedly caught on speed cameras during a two day period for driving too fast and at time recklessly. Luckily for Beiber the fines only totalled around $1,000 and the points would only be recognised in the UAE state.

Mel Gibson

The Aussie actor’s list of driving offences is almost as impressive as his acting accolades. As well as being charged with reckless driving after crashing his car in 1984, Gibson was also charged with speeding and driving with an open container of alcohol in 2006 – an offence that was best remembered for the tirade of abuse he apparently aimed at the arresting officers at the time.

Colin Farrell

Roman roads are famed for being long and straight. In the case of the A4, just outside Bath, the temptation was too great for Irish actor Farrell in his Range Rover Sport. After being caught driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone, a fine was issued to Farrell, who would later have to apologise for his failure to pay-up. Apparently the car was registered to a studio in London and he had no idea that he had committed the offence.

Robert Downey Jnr

With a list of charges as long as your arm, speeding is one of the more low-end crimes that Downey Jnr has been found guilty of during his career. After being pulled over by police for speeding in 1996, he was found to be in possession of class A drugs and a hand gun. He would later be sentenced to a year in jail for violating his probation in 1999.

Stephen Fry

Actor and TV host Fry was caught doing 99mph on a road in London on his way to a recording session. Despite the fact that it was his second offence in just a couple of years, magistrates showed leniency and opted to give him a £500 speeding fine and five points on his licence. Fry responded by saying, “All That I can do is say I’m very sorry for being such a fool to drive so fast.”