Bestselling Author Banned for Speeding While Walking Dog

Bestselling author Lynda La Plante has been banned from driving for six months after admitting to five speeding offenses between November 2025 and April 2026. The 83-year-old writer, best known for creating 'Prime Suspect', was caught driving between 24mph and 27mph in a 20mph zone near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames. She already had nine points on her license from previous offenses in 2023 and 2025.

La Plante told Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court that a driving ban would effectively end her writing career. She explained that she needs her car for research, including meeting criminals and sources in various locations. Furthermore, she claimed a ban would prevent her from taking her beloved guard dog, Theo, for walks, stating the emotional turmoil could force her to stop writing altogether and potentially rehome the dog.

Despite her emotional testimony and arguments that winding up her writing company would put four staff members out of work, magistrates determined that La Plante had not sufficiently proven "exceptional hardship." The court imposed fines totaling £3,330, ordered her to pay £130 in costs and a £1,332 victim surcharge, and issued the six-month driving ban, bringing her license points to 24.