Exclusive: TV presenter Johnny Vaughan handed fine and penalty points after speeding through Biggleswade

On March 14 Vaughan, who now has his own show on Radio X, was driving his black BMW 520D Sport on the A1 at Lower Caldecote when he was caught on a speed camera doing 59 miles per hour in a 50 zone.

Another camera further down the road clocked Vaughan doing 72 miles per hour in a 60 zone less than sixty seconds later.

Vaughan, 49, of North Side Wandsworth Common, south west London, was not present when he was found guilty of both offences at Luton Magistrates Court on November 5.

However he appeared for sentencing at the same court yesterday and pleaded with magistrates in an attempt to avoid penalty points.

Vaughan, representing himself, said: “First of all I would like to apologise, my first court appearance was supposed to be on October 26 but I had unavoidable work commitments.

“I didn’t expect to get a court date so soon after that, sometimes I get a lot of letters that look official but are actually to sell something.

“I did not see the one from the court so first of all I would like to apologise for my non attendance.”

The 49-year-old told magistrates that before receiving a court summons he attempted to resolve the matter but got confused between the two separate speeding offences.

He said: “The reason I am here today to bring this before the court is that they occurred in the same minute and it caused me quite a bit of confusion when I was calling them in.

“I was struggling on the phone and I paid a fine on the one I didn’t want to.

“Then I paid the fine for the other one.

“I realise now that I have taken the points and fines on both of them and they wouldn’t let me undo the fine.”

Vaughan, who was wearing a navy jacket and blue chinos, asked magistrates if he could take the driver’s awareness course that was originally offered to him for his first speeding offence.

He added: “The reason I would like to do this is because each time it (penalty points) increases my insurance immensely because of the business I am in.

“It must seem trivial but that is why I am here.”

The court heard that at the time of the offences Vaughan had three penalty points on his licence for a speeding offence in April 2012.

Magistrates told Vaughan that they had no power to go back and impose a driver awareness course and proceeded with sentencing.

When assessing what fine to impose they were told that ‘in a good month’ the TV presenter earns £24,000.

Vaughan was fined £1,000 and handed four penalty points.

He was also ordered to pay court costs of £185.