Comedian Jim Davidson has been 'nick nicked' after failing to name the driver of his luxury Aston Martin lease car.

The controversial comic was zapped by a speed camera on September 6 last year on Loose Road, Maidstone.

But when asked to name the driver he said: "Is it OK if I nominate someone I don't like?"

Davidson, who was once thrown out of a hotel amid claims he was abusive to staff, has courted controversy after complaints of racist or homophobic jokes.

His catchphrase was 'nick nick' when telling police jokes.

The comic, who was awarded an OBE, was banned from driving for six months today by Maidstone magistrates.

The court heard how the convertible Aston Martin DB9 Volante was clocked at 39mph in a 30mph zone by a speed camera.

Andrew Perry, prosecuting, said Kent Police issued a notice to the vehicle lease company which nominated Davidson as the likely driver at the time of the offence.

But when a notice was sent to Davidson asking for him to identify the driver, he replied suggesting the police didn't care who was really driving, and asked: "I'm still making enquiries as to who was actually driving, but is it ok if I nominate someone I don't like?"

Davidson was sent several letters from the police giving him an opportunity to name the driver of the vehicle, but he claimed he didn't know and failed to offer any possibilities, the court was told.

Davidson, who represented himself at his trial, told the court he genuinely did not know who was driving.

He accepted he was probably in the two-seater vehicle when the camera was activated, but he was unsure if it was his bodyguard or himself behind the wheel.

He said he may have been on his way back from a golf event involving fellow-comedian Bobby Davro when the offence occurred.

The 57-year-old, of Stockbridge, Hampshire was found guilty of failing to provide information about the identity of the driver.

Davidson urged the court not to impose a driving ban, claiming his charitable work would be affected. He said a ban would also impact on his show at the Rhyl Pavilion, in North Wales tomorrow.

Despite his claims he was awarded six penalty points on his driving licence, which along with six existing points, amounted to a ban.

But Magistrates agreed to suspend the penalty after Davidson announced he would appeal against his conviction and sentence.

He was also ordered to pay the maximum fine of £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of £750.