BBC presenter Aled Jones blamed a lack of equipment on his electric motorbike when he was caught speeding through west London, a court has heard.
The Songs of Praise host, 54, was prosecuted last week for breaking a 30mph limit on a ride along the A40 in August last year.
The Welsh singer, who broke out in the 80s with his famed rendition of Walking in the Air before becoming a BBC TV and radio favourite, blamed the fact his motorbike does not have a digital speedometer for the mishap.
Jones was riding a Maeving e-motorbike, which sell for upwards of £5,000, at the time of the incident, when he was clocked on a camera at 35mph.
“I drive an electric bike which does not have a digital speedometer and I believed I was driving at the speed limit of 30 as I drove on the A40“, he said, in a letter to Willesden magistrates court.
“I drive this road often and know of the speed limit. The speed recorded on camera was 35mph.“
Jones, who was awarded an MBE in 2013 for services to music, broadcasting, and charity, also told the magistrate he had attempted to settle the speeding ticket before it had to go to court.
“I sent my form back and agreed to the fixed penalty – I even paid the fine – so I am at a loss as to why this has gone to court“, he wrote.
“I did everything I believe that was asked of me.“
The Metropolitan Police told the court Jones was caught out on August 27 at just before 4.39pm on the A40 near to North Wharf Road in North Kensington.
He was written to at his home in Barnes, southwest London, and was offered a fixed penalty fine. But it is said Jones “failed to provide their licence details for electronic endorsement“, meaning the case was taken to a criminal prosecution through the Single Justice Procedure.
A magistrate accepted Jones’ guilty plea, and issued a £72 fine with a £28 victim surcharge to pay on top. The TV host did not have to pay any costs of the prosecution, and received three penalty points on his licence.
Jones was among 1600 motorists who were prosecuted last week for breaking 30mph speed limits, resulting in fines, costs, and court fees totaling more than £340,000.
