A Wiltshire earl was caught doing 45mph in a 30 zone – in an untaxed and uninsured Lexus.

David Brudenell-Bruce, the earl of Cardigan, was found guilty in his absence on Saturday of speeding and driving without insurance or a valid MOT.

Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard police stopped the 68-year-old’s Lexus RX300 shortly after 4pm on November 17, 2019. The car was clocked at 45mph in the 30mph zone on London Road, Marlborough. 

Cautioned for the speeding offence, Lord Cardigan was said to have told the officers he was surprised.

Checks revealed the vehicle did not have a valid MOT, was untaxed and uninsured, Wiltshire Police prosecutor Mike Smith told magistrates.

The bench found the matter proved in Lord Cardigan’s absence. 

Magistrates adjourned the case to February 16, when the bench will consider whether or not the defendant should be disqualified from driving.

Eton-educated Brudenell-Bruce is a distant descendent of Jane Seymour, the third wife of King Henry VIII. He is the Hereditary Warden of the only privately-owned forest in England, the Savernake Forest.