Celebrity magician Paul Daniels appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday and dodged losing his licence for speeding. Paul, real name Newton Edward Daniels, appeared after he was clocked by police driving at 56mph in a 40mph zone on London Road in Earley, Reading.

The magician, 75, already had nine points on his driving licence, but avoided being disqualified after successfully arguing he needed to drive to care for his elderly mother.

Daniels, of Willow Lane, Wargrave, near Henley, received three more points and was ordered to pay a £625 fine, costs of £65 and a £62 victims’ surcharge.