Weakest Link's Anne Robinson banned from driving

Weakest Link television presenter Anne Robinson was banned from driving for six months today after admitting her fourth speeding offence.

The 63-year-old was convicted at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court after she admitted by post that she drove at 43mph in a 30mph zone in Anglesey Road, Portsmouth, Hants, on 8 August last year.

The court heard that Robinson, who did not attend the hearing, had three previous speeding convictions, in September 2005, March 2006 and June 2007.

Magistrates fined her £100 and ordered her to pay £50 court costs.

The court heard that Robinson had been caught by a speed camera as she drove her Audi A3 car out of Portsmouth after leaving a ferry from the Isle of Wight.

Michael McGoldrick, defending, said that Robinson had not spotted the camera as she had become disorientated by the local road system on her first ever visit to the city.

He said: "It was a Sunday morning, just before midday. It was her first ever visit to Portsmouth and she had just come off the Isle of Wight ferry.

"Following the signs to the A3 she found herself heading to Gunwharf Quays (retail centre) and realised she was off course.

"She turned around and while trying to leave Portsmouth she failed to spot that she was in a restricted speed area. The camera is one that quite often catches people out."

Mr McGoldrick added: "My client accepts that she will be disqualified and she wanted me to apologise for what happened and apologise for taking up the court's time."

He added that the disqualification would cause "significant inconvenience" for Robinson who he said travelled between 40,000 and 50,000 miles each year in her car.

Magistrate Peter Mellor fined Robinson £100 and ordered her to pay £50 court costs and gave her four penalty points which meant an automatic disqualification as she already had nine points on her licence.

He said: "I am sorry she won't have a very pleasant memory of her first visit to Portsmouth."