BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce has been spared a driving ban by a court after arguing he could be sacked if not able to get to football matches.
Pearce, a voice of Match of the Day for the last 20 years, was caught speeding a short distance from Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in north London last April.
The offence put him in line for an automatic disqualification due to penalty points already on his driving licence.
But Pearce convinced Lavender Hill magistrates courts that there would be “exceptional hardship” if he was banned, and he should be spared the punishment.
Recording their decision, magistrates noted that Pearce has caring responsibilities within his family.
“We accept the evidence before us. We accept the unusual nature of your work schedule”, they said.
“We've looked at this in one particular way, that is, the impact on other people rather than just the impact on you. There's the potential of you losing your job and how that would cause you to lose your home.”
Pearce was handed a £307 fine with £100 costs, as well as three penalty points for his licence.
When charged by the Metropolitan Police, Pearce pleaded guilty in writing and asked for a hearing to contest an automatic ban.
The commentator, a staple of BBC football TV coverage, BBC Radio Five Live, and Champion League games on TNT, said disqualification “could seriously jeopardise my employment”.
His Ford Mondeo was caught on a speed camera near to Highbury Corner at 25mph, when the limit for that area is 20mph.
“I fear this offence may take me to 12 points and a possible ban”, he told the court, in a letter.
“I would kindly ask the court to seriously consider an alternative.”
He told magistrates he is in “dire need of my car” and provides support for a sick relative.
“I need to be able to get to her at the drop of a hat and train travel is impractical”, he wrote.
Turning to his professional commitments, he added: “For my work as a TV/radio football commentator, I need to travel all over the country.
“Being without a car could seriously jeopardise my employment.
“I realise how stupid it was of me to break the 20mph limit.
“But (I) would ask the court to consider my driving record over 47 years.”
Pearce, 65, has been with Match of the Day since 2004 and has covered five World Cups for the BBC. He started commentating on Champions League in 2013, and he was the iconic voice of Robot Wars.
