11:20AM, Tue Sep 4, 2012

Newcastle United's Demba Ba Banned From Driving

By James Marley Location: Bedlington

Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has been banned from driving after his car was caught speeding twice.

Ba was given a six-month ban by South East Northumberland magistrates for failing to give police details of who was driving his car at the time of the offences.

A magistrate also criticised the Senegal international, 27, for failing to attend court three times.

Ba, who lives on Darras Road in the affluent Darras Hall estate, was due to appear before magistrates on May 17 to answer a charge of failing to supply driver information.

He was given six penalty points in his absence and fined £1,000, told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The player already had six points on his licence, totalling 12, which would allow magistrates to impose a ban.

The case was reopened for re-sentencing and he was due at court in Bedlington, Northumberland, on August 1 but again did not make an appearance.

Ba was then written to by the court telling him to attend as magistrates were considering the ban but he failed to show a third time, without explanation.

Chairman of the bench Peter Edwards said: “We are satisfied that Mr Ba has failed to attend court yet again.”

On Thursday August 30 magistrates reimposed the original penalty of six points, the £1,000 fine, the £85 contribution to costs and £15 victim surcharge.

He was given 14 days to pay the fine and costs and banned from driving for six months.

Newcastle United declined to comment on the case.

Police would not release details of the vehicle involved, locations or speed but did confirm there had been two speeding offences.