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Colin Baker has been prohibited from driving after he was found speeding in his Lexus due to a lack of time.
In Shropshire, the 79-year-old actor, best known as the sixth Doctor who liked to wear mismatched, colorful clothing, was captured driving at 58mph in a 30mph zone.
Baker, from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, fought back tears in the court as he admitted speeding and stated he sped up on November 22 of last year after getting lost while following a BBC camera crew.
The father-of-five, who also appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, told Worcester Magistrates’ Court on Friday that a driving ban would cause him “extreme hardship.”
In addition, he stated he had three penalty points, but the court clerk discovered he had six penalty points dating back to December 2018 that had not yet expired.
Baker was given a 21-day driving prohibition, a £480 fine, £95 in court costs, and a £35 victim surcharge. When asked what effect a ban would have, the actor, who previously appeared in Casualty and Jonathan Creek, responded, “Quite a bit.”
He continued, ‘Because of what I do, I drive with great care.’
The actor explained he had been working in Telford, Shropshire, and was scheduled to film in Ironbridge the next day when he was pulled over for speeding in November of last year.
He told the court, “When I asked for the GPS code, they replied, “No, follow us.”
I followed the BBC camera car, lost them at a roundabout, and then attempted to catch them, which is when I committed the infraction. I had no intention of driving too fast.
Baker claimed that he was caught speeding because the national speed limit on Legges Way in Madeley had been reduced to 30 mph.
He pleaded with the Justices of the Peace, “Yes, it’s a sad tale you’ve heard a thousand times, but it’s true.
“I am an actor, I work in the theatre, and I will be performing a play in October and November. Not working is not an option for me.
Baker stated that he would be unable to accept work if he were prohibited from entering venues. He added that he had declined employment in order to appear in court.
Jayne Burton, the chairman of the court, informed Baker that his speed was roughly double the limit and not “just a few miles per hour over.”
The actor thanked the magistrates at the conclusion of the hearing and pledged to pay £609 within 28 days.
Between 1984 and 1986, he portrayed the frizzy-haired Time Lord on the BBC series. In 2012, he came in eighth place on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!