BBC weatherman caught driving without insurance

by David Masters

Story link: BBC weatherman caught driving without insurance

BBC weatherman Des Coleman has been banned from driving for three months after he was caught by police driving without insurance.

The former Eastenders actor, who presents the weather on East Midlands Today, was convicted in court this week after committing the offence in November last year.

Coleman, 44, faced a minimum six-months ban, but had the disqualification period reduced by the court because he claimed it would cause him excessive hardship.

“We have found that exceptional hardship has been proved because of the impact and the loss of income on your family,” magistrates said.

Coleman told the court he was unaware that his insurance had expired because he had not been issued a warning by his insurance firm.

“I’m absolutely gutted,” he said in court.

“In a sense I’m glad they stopped me because otherwise I could have been driving without insurance for a long time.”

He added that he was “ashamed” to have committed the offence

In addition to the driving ban, he was fined £800 plus £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.