Driving ban for speeding Ba

Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has been banned from driving for six months after twice being caught speeding.

The 27-year-old was fined 1,000 pounds and 85 pounds in costs as well as a 15 pounds victim surcharge for not supplying information on who was driving his vehicle despite requests from the Northumbria police late last year.

Ba did not attend South East Northumberland Magistrates Court, where it was revealed he has failed to turn up for two earlier hearings and had ignored letters sent to him from the police back in November 2011.

The original penalty of six points had to be re-evaluated once it was established that the Senegal international had already occurred a similar punishment, so a driving ban was given.

The police refused to release any details regarding the vehicle involved in the incidents, the locations or the two speeds.

The striker joined Newcastle in June 2011 and notched 16 goals in 34 Premier League appearances for the club last season.

Ba netted in the club’s opening-day 2-1 win over Tottenham this season but has failed to score in his past three matches.