Cleese speeding case withdrawn

30/06/11

By Scott Allan

Cleese Speeding Case Withdrawn

A court has withdrawn proceedings against comedian John Cleese after it was confirmed that a fixed penalty notice issued in relation to an alleged speeding incident involving his car was paid.

Bath Magistrates Court heard that a Mini Cooper belonging to the Fawlty Towers star had been photographed exceeding a 30mph limit on the A4 at Saltford, between Bath and Bristol, last November. Cleese was also charged with failing to provide the identity of the driver of the vehicle.

JPs dropped the charges, however, after being told that a fixed penalty notice had been paid and the enforcement unit had made a request asking for the case to be withdrawn.

Cleese's spokesman had said last month he had not been driving the car and no explanation was given in court as to whether the 71-year-old or another person had accepted the penalty notice, which carries a minimum fine of £60 and three penalty points added to a driving licence.