Cole given driving ban

Footballer Ashley Cole received the ban after he was caught Â…

18:45 29 January 2010

Footballer Ashley Cole has been issued with a driving ban.

The Chelsea star received the ban after being caught speeding in his sports star.

Travelling at more than twice the speed limit in his Lamborghini Gallardo, Cole was caught racing along the A3 in South West London in November 2008.

He was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for four months for driving at 104mph in a 50mph zone, which he claimed he did to escape paparazzi.

Cole's legal team has already launched an appeal against the ban.

Patricia Baskerville, the chair at Kingston Magistrates Court, said: "We have taken into account Mr Cole's clean licence.

"However, this was an incident of excessive speed, over twice the speed limit on the road, and these were exceptional circumstances which we need to mark."

Cole did not appear in court but was told by Kingston magistrates he could face prison if he drives while disqualified.

Meanwhile wife Cheryl Cole, has announced she is to embark on her first solo tour as she supports the Black Eyed Peas on the UK leg of their E.N.D. tour.

The 'Fight for this Love' singer will be playing dates in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Dublin in May and June later this year.