Montgomerie fined for speeding

It was third time unlucky for golfer Colin Montgomerie yesterday when he was fined £835 for speeding.

The 45-year-old Glaswegian, who lives in Dunning, Perthshire, admitted at Feltham Magistrates' Court, driving at 70mph in a 40mph zone.

He was caught speeding in his silver Bentley along Kingston Road, the A3, in Kingston upon Thames, South west London, on 30 March.

It is the third time the sportsman has been involved in court proceedings for allegedly driving too fast.

Last year, he was accused of driving at 88mph on the M80 near Falkirk, but the case was dismissed when Montgomerie was not served with a summons.

And in 2004 he was accused of travelling at 96mph, again on the A3, but the case collapsed when a policeman failed to attend court.

The golfer was also given three points on his driving licence in 2006 for speeding.

Yesterday at Feltham, chair of the bench Jagpreet Tucker said: "This court does take seriously speeding and we hope we don't see you again."

Montgomerie escaped a driving ban but was fined £750 plus £85 costs.

Prosecutor Suqi Gill said the golfer told police: "I did not realise I was going that fast, this car is too quick."

He was offered a fixed penalty but failed to pay because of his work commitments abroad and planning his wedding, Mr Montgomerie's solicitor Nick Freeman said.

The lawyer is known as "Mr Loophole" for the number of clients he has helped avoid traffic fines.

Mr Freeman told the court the golfer was en route to see his three children when he was caught.

Montgomerie sped up to overtake an HGV which had crept into his lane, the solicitor said.

Despite driving down to Surrey from Scotland every weekend to see his children, and frequently for work, he has only received one fixed penalty and has three points on his licence, Mr Freeman added.

He said: "He's driven well in excess of a million miles in his career, he's never been disqualified."

After a much publicised divorce in 2006, Montgomerie married Gaynor Knowles, widow of a furniture tycoon, earlier this year.

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Freeman said: "We are considering our position, we have 21 days to decide."