The Great British Bake Off presenter Paul Hollywood has been convicted of speeding after driving at nearly 100mph on the M25 while rushing his poorly cat to the vet. The 59-year-old celebrity chef pleaded guilty to the offence at Worthing Magistrates' Court last week.
Incident Details
Surrey Police officer Alexander McAlpine stopped Hollywood after his Land Rover Defender was recorded at 96mph, with speeds possibly exceeding 105mph when joining the M26. Hollywood told the officer he was urgently taking his unwell cat for veterinary treatment.
Court Proceedings
Hollywood was handed five penalty points on his licence, fined £293, and ordered to pay £120 in costs and a £117 victim surcharge. A second charge of driving without due care and attention was dropped after his solicitors at Hickman and Rose intervened.
Partner Peter Csemiczky stated: "Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast. He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet. He understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions."
Police Evidence
Officer McAlpine followed Hollywood in an unmarked vehicle on January 9. He reported witnessing the car "repeatedly bully" other vehicles out of its path by tailgating at dangerously close distances, sometimes just two metres at 80mph. The officer captured the incident on dashboard camera.
Hollywood, who had a clean driving licence, pleaded guilty in writing and was sentenced during a private Single Justice Procedure hearing. He entered a not guilty plea to the careless driving charge, which was later withdrawn by police.
