Claims Savage is 'accosted' in public due to his controversial opinions

Pundit said he was 'rushing' on A1 because he wanted to see his children

Robbie Savage has avoided a driving ban after his lawyer claimed the pundit is unable to share public transport with football fans who hate him

Robbie Savage has avoided a driving ban for clocking up 99mph on the motorway after his lawyer claimed the pundit is unable to share public transport with football fans who hate him.

The 40-year-old, who was caught speeding as he drove home from Alan Shearer's charity ball, will be allowed to continue driving his £230,000 Bentley because it is considered 'a safe haven' for the controversial commentator.

The former midfielder could have been banned for up to 28 days but was instead given a meagre £600 fine, despite a possible £2,500 penalty.

Gary Rae, from the charity Brake, told MailOnline: 'It's an insult to those who have lost loved ones because of speeding drivers.

'Driving at such a dangerous speed hardly makes his luxury car a "safe haven" for other road users.'

The court heard how Savage was caught on the A1 near Knaresborough last month, while driving back in a custom-made Bentley to his home in Prestbury, Cheshire, with his wife Sarah, according to The Sun.

The pair had been at Shearer's ball the night beforehand and Savage was driving quickly to get home to his two sons, the court heard.

The former Wales captain, who was not in court, was said to be running 'slightly late' after slowing for average speed cameras.

Savage (left) had been driving back from a charity ball hosted by Alan Shearer (right) when he was stopped

The star was driving a £230,000 custom-built Bentley, similar to the one he is pictured with here

Savage's lawyer Philip Morris said the former Wales captain needed to keep his car because he is in 'regularly accosted in public' due to the nature of his work as a BBC and BT Sport pundit, in which he has to give controversial opinions.

The barrister added: 'Someone once described him as being like Marmite. You either love him or the opposite.'

He also told the court that Savage relied on family members to look after his children when he was busy because he is too famous to employ a babysitter, according to the Yorkshire Post.

The star was given six points for the offence, bringing his total up to nine points, following a previous offence of using his phone at the wheel.

Savage must also pay £85 costs and a £60 surcharge.

In 2011 the footballer appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, partnering Ola Jordan in the BBC show

If he had been driving just 1mph faster, Savage would have been forced to attend court in person and would have been extremely likely to face an automatic ban.

A spokesman for Savage refused to comment on the case.

The player had a reputation as a hard-tackling midfielder during his career with clubs including Leicester City, Birmingham City, Blackburn Rovers and Derby County, and attracted fierce opposition from rival fans.

He was originally a trainee with Manchester United, but despite being released by the Premier League giant Mr Savage went on to captain Wales, playing 39 times for his country.