Hospital Governor Caught Speeding In Her Bentley

Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court

A Chelsea and Westminster Hospital governor, caught speeding in her Bentley Continental Flying Spur, was convicted and fined yesterday.

Anne Francesca Hodson-Pressinger, 72, a Dame of the Sovereign Order of St. George was caught on a speed camera driving at 25mph in a 20 mph zone.

The art restorer, who is a director of The British Egyptian Society, did not attend her trial at Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court, where she was convicted in her absence.

She was found guilty of driving the powerful blue six-litre car over the limit in busy Wandsworth Road, Wandsworth on October 24, last year.

Hodson-Pressinger, who lives in a £1.5m Belgravia apartment in Lyall Street was fined £220, with £110 costs and ordered to pay an £88 victim surcharge.

She also received three penalty points, which will be added to the six she already has on her driving licence for offences in 2022 and 2023.

One more speeding offence will automatically trigger a six-month ban.

Prosecutor Charlotte Birch told the trial it was 4.19pm when Hodson-Pressinger’s Bentley activated the speed camera on the A road.

“A letter was sent to the registered keeper and the defendant replied and confirmed she was the driver at the time.”

While calculating the penalty the magistrates heard Hodson-Pressinger - President of the Knightsbridge Ladies of Charity - had charitable commitments of £1500 a year.

She also has household bills of £12,00 a year, plus £8,000 in annual travel costs.

“I have no income. A little passive income,” she wrote, confirming she is not in employment.

“She was properly warned to be here today and she has not come,” announced bench Chair Mandy Lamplugh. “We have considered the paperwork Ms Hodson-Pressinger has submitted to the court.

“Looking at her licence she is now on nine penalty points.”