Roy 'Chubby' Brown filmed reading paper while driving Published duration 21 August 2014

media caption Roy 'Chubby' Brown was caught on camera by North Yorkshire Police

Comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown was caught on camera reading a newspaper while driving along the A19 in Yorkshire.

Brown, whose real name is Royston Vasey, was photographed by a mobile safety camera with a copy of the Sun held in front of his steering wheel.

The 69-year-old comic was fined £30 by Northallerton magistrates on Wednesday and got four points on his licence.

Brown has apologised in an interview on BBC Tees , admitting he "was in the wrong".

'Life and death'

The comic, from East Harlsey, was also ordered to pay costs of £40 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Brown told Neil Green on BBC Tees: "I was in the wrong and I apologise. I've never been caught on the phone because I don't do that, I don't drink and drive, I try to abide by the law."

Police arrested him after the camera spotted him reading the paper as he drove his Lexus along the A19 southbound near Crathorne in North Yorkshire on 15 May.

Dave Brown, North Yorkshire Police's mobile safety camera manager, said: "This is another case where our mobile safety cameras have proved that they are not just about speed, demonstrating that we have the technology to capture all manner of offences which put road users at risk.

"Motorists must give the road their full attention as a few seconds' lapse in concentration can have catastrophic consequences, literally meaning the difference between life and death."

The portly comedian is best known for his expletive-laden stand-up comedy, but also scored a hit single in 1995 with a blue cover version of the song Living Next Door to Alice.

His real name of Royston Vasey was used as the name of the fictional town which is the setting for the TV comedy The League of Gentlemen.