Pop star Jay Kay admits speeding

Jay Kay was ordered to appear in court for sentencing

Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay has pleaded guilty to driving a four-wheel-drive vehicle at 105mph while overtaking cars on the A9 in Perthshire in February.

The 34-year-old, whose licence bears his full name Jason Kay, did not attend the hearing at Perth Sheriff Court but admitted the charge by letter.

His solicitor John McLaughlin said he was unable to attend court because he was recording in New York.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher ordered Kay to appear for sentencing on 6 September.

'Slow-moving traffic'

The car-loving star was stopped after overtaking cars on a busy stretch of the A9 near Perth.

Tayside officers pulled him over after he was clocked exceeding the 70mph speed limit in his top-of-the-range car, registration V8 JAY.

He had been enjoying a break at his Highland getaway in Gairloch, Ross-shire, and was travelling back to his 75-acre estate in Horsenden, Buckinghamshire.

In a letter to the court, he said: "I was returning from my house in Gairloch to England for an important appointment.

"I'd set out early in the morning but had become stuck behind slow moving traffic on the single-carriageway road.

I appreciate the maximum penalty for this offence could lead to the loss of my licence and this is a matter of grave concern to me. Letter from Jay Kay

"That meant I had been travelling for four hours at an average of about 30 miles an hour by this stage.

"I was not driving a fast sports car but a four-wheel-drive vehicle which meant I wanted to make the most of this overtaking opportunity."

He added: "I drive very many miles each year and my driving licence is extremely important to me.

"I appreciate the maximum penalty for this offence could lead to the loss of my licence and this is a matter of grave concern to me."

The singer - who once splashed out £450,000 on a 220mph Ferrari Spider and has a large collection of vehicles - has previous convictions for driving offences.

He told FHM magazine in 2002 that he had been hit with three separate bans for speeding in the past.

Jay Kay has earned millions from albums including Emergency On Planet Earth and Return Of The Space Cowboy.