Newcastle United striker Demba Ba banned from driving Published duration 4 September 2012

image caption Demba Ba was sentenced in his absence

Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has been banned from driving after his car was twice seen speeding.

The Senegal international was charged with failing to supply information on who was driving on both occasions.

South East Northumberland Magistrates Court banned the 27-year-old for six months in his absence.

Police would not release details of the vehicle involved, locations or speed, but did confirm that there had been two "speeding offences".

The court was told the player had failed to attend two previous hearings and ignored police letters sent in November 2011 asking him to confirm who was driving his car on the two occasions in question.

The former West Ham player, who lives in Ponteland, Newcastle, was also fined £1,000, told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.