Zara Tindall banned from driving for six months in Gloucestershire

The 38 year old equestrian star received the ban under the 'totting up' procedure because she already had 9 penalty points on her licence from previous motoring offences committed within the previous three years.

Magistrates in Cheltenham imposed four points today for her latest offence and then imposed the mandatory six months ban totting up for exceeding 12 points.

Zara, wife of former Gloucester and England rugby back Mike Tindall, who gave her address as  Cherington, nr Tetbury, Glos, did not attend court because she is currently in Australia.

Through her lawyer she pleaded guilty to driving in excess of 70mph on the A417 at Dartley Bottom, Daglingworth, nr Cirencester at November 6th last year.

Gloucestershire Police frequently operate a speed trap on a layby at Dartley Bottom - a long, straight stretch of the Gloucester-Cirencester road, where they catch hundreds of drivers a year.

Barry Warburton, representing Mrs Tindall, told the court he had been instructed to speak on her behalf as she is abroad. He emphasised to the magistrates that in law Mrs Tindall should therefore not be deemed by the court to be absent from the proceedings.

He said: “I’ve advised Mrs Tindall not to drive from today in Australia as any driving ban in the UK would affect her insurance in Australia.”

Prosecutor Farley Turner said: "Because Mrs Tindall already has nine points on her licence she was unable to accept a fixed penalty for this offence."

Roger Utley, chairman of the bench, announced that as well as the six months ban the court was fining Mrs Tindall £666 plus costs and a victim surcharge of £151 - making a total to pay of £817.

*Her previous motoring offences which led to today's ban were:

12 February 2017 – Speeding, 3 penalty points; 15th February 2018 – Fixed penalty offence 3 points; 24th December 2018 traffic signal penalty - 3 points.