Bake Off's Paul Hollywood 'bullied' drivers in 96mph 'sick cat' dash, court hears

Bake Off's Paul Hollywood "bullied" drivers by tailgating them from a few metres away in an almost 100mph dash to get his cat to the vet, a court has heard.

Surrey Police clocked his Land Rover Defender at 96mph but believe he reached over 105mph during the 9 January incident.

PC Alexander McAlpine said he witnessed Hollywood's car "repeatedly bully other vehicles out of its way, through use of unsafe tailgating" on the M25 in heavy afternoon traffic.

He said the car would repeatedly close to "less than five metres" from other vehicles to "push any traffic that was in front of them out of the lane".

The officer told the court he matched Hollywood's speed and hit a "peak" of around 105mph on the M26, with his speed "above 90mph for an extended period".

The celebrity baking judge - who's been on the hit show for 16 years - was pulled over and blamed it on a pet emergency.

"The driver stated that the reason for their urgency and driving behaviour was transporting an unwell cat," the PC told the court.

Hollywood received five points and was told to pay £530 in fines and costs after pleading guilty to speeding last week.

He was also accused of driving without due care and attention but he denied the charge and it was dropped.

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Peter Csemiczky, from law firm Hickman and Rose, told Worthing Magistrates' Court: "Mr Hollywood accepts he was driving too fast. He was rushing home to get his unwell cat to the vet. He understands this is no excuse and apologises for his actions. He understands and accepts that he will be punished."

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