Patrick Kielty escapes driving ban

Rex Features

Patrick Kielty has escaped a driving ban after being caught speeding at 101mph in Scotland last year, says the Press Association.

The Irish TV presenter had pleaded guilty to speeding but escaped with a fine of £1,200 and six penalty points on his licence.

On leaving Stranraer Sheriff Court, Kielty joked that he had hoped for a driving ban to avoid rising petrol prices.

"I think it was a fair result," he said. "To be honest with you, with the price of petrol at the moment, I was sort of half looking forward to a ban. But it was a fair enough result."

The 37-year-old's lawyer Gerald Tiernaey said Kielty's "concentration slipped" while driving to catch a ferry and "an error of judgment occurred".