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Johannesburg - Idols judge and 5FM DJ Gareth Cliff blamed the media on Wednesday for not reaching a plea agreement with the state after he was arrested for speeding and reckless or negligent driving.
Cliff told Beeld outside the magistrate's court in Centurion on Wednesday that the great media interest in his case foiled the plea agreement plans.
He was arrested on Tuesday after he was caught by Gauteng traffic officers on a Pretoria highway for allegedly driving 182km/h in his black Range Rover Evoque.
He was on his way home after attending an Idols recording in Durban.
The Lyttleton police released him on bail of R1 500 soon after and warned him to appear in court on Wednesday morning.
The case was postponed and transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in the city centre.
'I am guilty'
Cliff claimed the reason for the transfer was because the media was "running around" and causing "chaos" at the court in the city centre.
He believes he has the right to pay a guilt acknowledgement fine and thought the matter could've been resolved on Wednesday already.
After his appearance in court, Cliff said the legal process must now run its course, but he was upset, because it will be time-consuming.
"I would however not be in this position if I had not been speeding.
"I am guilty of driving too fast and it was stupid of me," he said.
Twitter
Before his court appearance on Wednesday, he changed his Twitter profile picture to that of The Stig, the famous racer of the British TV motoring programme Top Gear.
Cliff will appear in the magistrate's court again on March 16.
On Wednesday Twitter was buzzing about Cliff's arrest and evoked mixed feelings.
Noelene Mostert tweeted that "arrogance will eventually catch up with you, even if it is at 182km/ph#garethcliff"
Another Twitter user Shane Louw said Cliff should not be favoured because he is a famous person. "Pay what the average man would pay."
Michael Darcio tweeted, "Isn't it funny how red, white, and blue represent Freedom..........until you see it in a rear-view mirror #GarethCliff"
Cliff told Beeld outside the magistrate's court in Centurion on Wednesday that the great media interest in his case foiled the plea agreement plans.
He was arrested on Tuesday after he was caught by Gauteng traffic officers on a Pretoria highway for allegedly driving 182km/h in his black Range Rover Evoque.
He was on his way home after attending an Idols recording in Durban.
The Lyttleton police released him on bail of R1 500 soon after and warned him to appear in court on Wednesday morning.
The case was postponed and transferred to the Pretoria Magistrate's Court in the city centre.
'I am guilty'
Cliff claimed the reason for the transfer was because the media was "running around" and causing "chaos" at the court in the city centre.
He believes he has the right to pay a guilt acknowledgement fine and thought the matter could've been resolved on Wednesday already.
After his appearance in court, Cliff said the legal process must now run its course, but he was upset, because it will be time-consuming.
"I would however not be in this position if I had not been speeding.
"I am guilty of driving too fast and it was stupid of me," he said.
Before his court appearance on Wednesday, he changed his Twitter profile picture to that of The Stig, the famous racer of the British TV motoring programme Top Gear.
Cliff will appear in the magistrate's court again on March 16.
On Wednesday Twitter was buzzing about Cliff's arrest and evoked mixed feelings.
Noelene Mostert tweeted that "arrogance will eventually catch up with you, even if it is at 182km/ph
Another Twitter user Shane Louw said Cliff should not be favoured because he is a famous person. "Pay what the average man would pay."
Michael Darcio tweeted, "Isn't it funny how red, white, and blue represent Freedom..........until you see it in a rear-view mirror #GarethCliff"
