Driving ban for speeding golfer Colin Montgomerie

Published on Friday 4 December 2009 22:10

GOLF star Colin Montgomerie was yesterday banned from driving after being caught speeding.

Montgomerie, 46, reached the legal maximum of 12 points on his licence when he was given three points, having been caught travelling at 37mph in a 30mph zone.

His black BMW X5 was clocked breaking the limit on the A69 eastbound in the village of Corby Hill, near Carlisle, Cumbria, in November last year.

The European Ryder Cup captain did not attend on either day of his two-day trial at Carlisle Magistrates' Court. He pleaded not guilty through his solicitor, Michael Shrimpton.

His defence counsel unsuccessfully tried to question the accuracy of the LGi2020 laser device used to record the speed, claiming it was "not foolproof" and prone to interference from side-beams.

But District Judge Gerald Chalk told the court: "I reject the defence argument. This is a Home Office-approved device. It is type approved, and whether it is vulnerable to side-beams is not something I can, or would want to, adjudicate on."

"I am satisfied Mr Montgomerie was using excessive speed. I endorse his license with three points, and as he is liable to the 12-point totting-up procedure, I am disqualifying him for six months."

Judge Chalk ordered Montgomerie to pay an 850 fine, 4,000 costs and a 15 victim surcharge, pending an appeal launched by the golfer's lawyer.

Mr Shrimpton had earlier pumped his fist in triumph and told the prosecution solicitor, Andrew Perry, "You're stuffed", after wrongly believing that he had the case won.