Former Pop Idol singer Gareth Gates dodges driving ban despite being caught speeding for the FOURTH time
It was revealed that a driving ban would dent his future earnings and effect his ex-wife and daughter
SINGER Gareth Gates dodged a driving ban after he was caught speeding for the fourth time.
The former Pop Idol star was spotted doing 47mph in a 30mph zone to take his points tally up to 12.
Under the totting up system he faced disqualification unless he could show exceptional hardship.
Appearing in court Gates, 32, said he drove thousands of miles across the country to attend gigs.
He said any ban would dent his potential future earnings and unfairly hit his ex-wife and daughter.
Magistrates took pity and endorsed his licence with an extra five points - taking his tally up to 14 - and fined him £1,493.
Gates, 32, stood in the dock at Bradford Magistrates Court for the brief hearing and stuttered as he gave his name.
Prosecutor Teresa King said he was stopped by cops in Bradford, West Yorks., on January 22 during a police clampdown on speeders.
Officers asked him if the speedometer on his Range Rover worked correctly and he replied: "Yes."
His solicitor Ashfaq Chowdhury said that since appearing on Pop Idol 15 years ago Gates had enjoyed a busy career.
He said: "He drives on his own and is a one-man-band.
"His Range Rover is full to the brim with equipment, musical instruments, clothes and outfits."
He had many imminent bookings and a ban would lead to him breaching contracts, Mr Chowdhury added.
He also drives 5,000 miles a year promoting his health drink at Holland & Barrett and supports five charities.
Mr Chowdhury said: "This young man needs to be on the the road."
Gates has been driving since he was 19 and has never been banned or been before a court.
He was fined £1,280 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £128 and £85 prosecution costs as well as having his licence endorsed.
Magistrate Yunus Mayat told Gates: "We do find exceptional hardship, not on yourself, but on other parties.
"Your family and ex wife and child would suffer exceptional hardship if you had to look for alternative transport arrangements."
The JP added: "You are a role model to a lot of people and driving at this sort of speed doesn't help."