Veteran BBC journalist and former Newsnight chairman Adam Raphael has been handed a 12-month driving ban after admitting to excessive speeding in his Tesla electric vehicle.
The 90-year-old political editor, once a prominent figure in British journalism, was caught travelling at 71mph in a 50mph zone on the A27 at Fontwell, West Sussex, on 23rd May.
Raphael pleaded guilty to the offence at Worthing Magistrates' Court, where he was also ordered to pay £673 in fines and costs.
Distinguished Career Overshadowed
The conviction marks a notable fall from grace for the esteemed journalist, who served as political editor for The Observer and chaired the BBC's flagship news programme Newsnight during the 1990s.
Raphael, who lives in the picturesque West Sussex village of Slindon, had initially failed to respond to the speeding notice, resulting in his court appearance.
Mitigating Circumstances Presented
In his defence, Raphael explained to magistrates that he was unfamiliar with the specific road and had been attempting to overtake another vehicle at the time of the offence.
The court heard how the nonagenarian journalist had maintained a clean driving record for an impressive 68 years prior to this incident.
Magistrates acknowledged his previously spotless record but deemed the speeding serious enough to warrant a driving ban under the totting-up procedure.
Financial Penalties Imposed
In addition to the driving prohibition, Raphael was ordered to pay:
- A £346 fine
- £110 surcharge
- £217 in court costs
The total financial penalty of £673 reflects the seriousness with which the court viewed the speeding offence, despite Raphael's previously unblemished driving history.
This case serves as a reminder that even experienced drivers face significant consequences for speeding violations, regardless of their vehicle type or professional standing.
