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Pop Idol star Gareth Gates has been slapped with a driving ban after clocking up a series of speeding offences, according to reports.
The Spirit in the Sky hitmaker, 40, has reportedly been disqualified for six months, having acquired four speeding offences in three years.
His latest is believed to have been doing 62mph in a 50mph zone, which was caught by speed cameras on the M4 in South Wales near Pentyla Seaway Parade Bridge.
According to The Sun, the singer has pleaded guilty to the charges, including speeding in his three-year-old black Range Rover Sport at Port Talbot on April 6.
He initially wanted to fight the driving ban, claiming he would suffer ‘exceptional hardship’.
However, District Judge Charlotte Murphy withdrew his claim before his hearing on Thursday.
Gates had been due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates Court in person, but instead sent an email asking for the matter to be handled without him.
Judge Murphy said: ‘Mr Gates has nine points on his license for three offences of speeding.
‘He will be disqualified from driving for six months.’
The 2002 reality star runner-up was also given a £230 fine.
But, because of his guilty plea, this was reduced to £153.
As mentioned, this is not the first time Gates has been reprimanded for speeding.
In 2017, he managed to avoid losing his license after racking up 12 points for four speeding offences.
A fine was issued after Gates was pulled over near his home in Bradford for doing 47mph in a 30mph zone.
Gates’s solicitor, Ashfaq Chowdhury, explained to the court that his client’s career sees him driving all over the country.
He told magistrates that disqualification would impact his finances heavily, as he would no longer be able to travel to events or professional events.
The bench heard he was a ‘one-man band, driving himself to engagements with his Range Rover full to the brim with equipment, musical instruments, clothes, and outfits’.
Gates was fined £1,280 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £128 and £85 in prosecution costs.
A further five points were added to his license.
Reps for Gareth Gates have been contacted for comment.
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