Comedian hopes to avoid drive ban

Kielty is to argue against being given a driving ban

A court has been told comedian Patrick Kielty is to argue he should keep his licence despite being caught speeding - so he can carry on his charity work.

The Northern Irish television star was clocked at 101mph on the A75 Gretna to Stranraer road on 27 December 2007.

Kielty, 37, of Dundrum, Co Down, was due to be sentenced for the offence at Stranraer Sheriff Court.

However, problems obtaining a copy of his Northern Ireland driving licence meant his sentence was deferred.

Kielty's lawyer Gerald Tierney told the court he was seeking extra information about his client's charity work before appealing against a ban next month.

'Impact on others'

He said his client was in the process of changing the address on his licence to his current London one.

He told Sheriff Shirley Foran that there had been difficulties in obtaining a print-out of the licence from the UK.

The lawyer explained that he was also waiting for additional information on Kielty's charity work to argue "the impact on others of a disqualification".

Sentencing was deferred until 24 June when his lawyer said Kielty would attend.

Kielty has enjoyed a number of compere roles on television including programmes such as Fame Academy and Love Island.