Happy Mondays star Bez has been fined for “reckless and careless” driving of his Bentley up to 90mph.
Bez, 58, whose full name is Mark Berry, told police who tailed him for 13 minutes he thought he was being followed by “some kind of weirdo” so sped up to “get away”.
He was found guilty of driving without due care and attention on the M56 at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
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The Crown Prosecution Service said he was driving his Bentley Continental car on the northbound carriageway when the offence occurred.
Two police officers patrolling in an unmarked car decided to follow him after he cut across their vehicle, forcing them to brake, it was said.
(Image: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
They witnessed the defendant undertaking other cars and driving at excessive speeds through speed restricted roadworks, the court heard.
He then cut across all three lanes of the motorway, in front of a white van, to leave the motorway.
At this point, police said the former Dancing on Ice star was travelling at around 85 to 90mph.
The officers stopped the vehicle and spoke to Bez after following him for around 13 minutes.
(Image: Ian Georgeson/REX/Shutterstock)
His reply to their query about his driving was that he thought he was being followed by “some kind of weirdo”, so he had to speed up to “get away”.
He was charged with driving without due care and attention. He denied the offence, but was found guilty following a trial.
He was fined £1,009 and must pay a victim surcharge of £101 and costs of £400.
Three points have been added to his licence.
(Image: Getty Images)
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Following the hearing, senior district crown prosecutor Neil Colville, of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “Berry was driving recklessly on that night without any thought for the other drivers on the road.
“It is lucky that someone was not hurt as he was driving at speed and carelessly. The fact that he cut across a car that was being driven by a police officer is fortuitous.
“That led them to follow him and stop him before he could cause any more issues.
“He has denied his wrongdoing until the end, but has now been found guilty.”
He finished by stating that Mark “has been found guilty and has only himself to blame.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
