CASUALTY star Barney Walsh was branded “arrogant” by magistrates after he failed to show up in court for speeding at nearly 100 miles per hour.
Cops clocked the actor and TV host, 26, driving at 97mph in a £55,000 2023-plate Mercedes on the M4 in Swindon, Wiltshire, March 6 this year.
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Walsh, who also co-hosts the BBC revival of Gladiators with The Chase host dad Bradley, was summoned to enter a plea at Swindon magistrates’ court today.
But instead of attending court to make his case, Walsh’s solicitors sent a letter to JPs disputing the police’s claim that he was driving at 97mph.
They added Walsh was prepared to enter a guilty plea for driving at “between 93mph and 95mph”.
Presiding magistrate Mark Baker slammed the popular presenter for failing to face justice in-person.
He told the court: “We find this a little bit arrogant that this plea is coming from a firm representing Mr Walsh when he was summoned to appear here.
“But he has not appeared and nor have his representatives.
“Other people today have made great efforts to get here from considerable distances, yet Mr Walsh seems to think that he does not need to appear.”
The court heard Walsh had been given the option to plead by post, but Mr Baker went on: “Some people seem to think they do not need to turn up, but if they are summonsed they are expected to.”
Wiltshire Police spotted Walsh’s flash Mercedes GLC 300 as it soared past a manned camera on the M4 at 4.30pm on March 6 this year, prosecutor Anna Hughes said.
Officers recorded the speed of the Mercedes at 97mph at the time of the offence.
Ms Hughes went on: “They caused the vehicle to stop and the driver identified himself as Barney Walsh.”
The TV ace’s lawyers, from high-powered brief firm Burton Copeland, told magistrates by letter: “Our client pleads guilty to the offence but does not accept the speed was 97mph.
“He believes he was travelling at between 93 and 95mph and he is prepared to plead guilty on this basis.”
Mr Baker said the difference in speed made no difference and were “exactly the same category” of offence.
Walsh’s solicitors asked JPs to hand down a financial penalty and add five points on his licence.
The social media star already has three penalty points added to his licence for a speeding offence in July last year, the magistrates heard.
Passing sentence, Mr Baker said: “We have taken into account the letter from his solicitors and his early guilty plea.
“Ordinarily, the fine for this would have been maximum £2,500.
“However, we have been lenient with Mr Walsh and are bringing this down to £1,000.”
Mr Baker added: “His driving licence will also be endorsed with five penalty points.”
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Walsh, of Essex, was also ordered to pay £490 in fees and has 28 days to pay.
His representative was asked to comment.
