NEWCASTLE United striker Demba Ba has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding twice.

A magistrate also criticised the Premier League footballer for failing to come to court three times over the case.

Ba was given a six-month ban by magistrates in Northumberland for failing to give police details of who was driving his car when it was caught speeding on two occasions.

The Senegal international failed to attend court failed to appear at two previous hearings and the latest sentencing without giving any reason.

The chairman of the bench hit out at the star for failing to show, “yet again”.

Northumbria Police wrote to Ba, 27, in November last year and asked to provide details of who was driving his car when it was caught speeding twice.

Police would not release details of the vehicle involved, locations or speed but did confirm there had been two “speeding offences”.

The former West Ham forward had from November 15 to December 13 to provide the details.

But Ba, who lives in Darras Road in the affluent Darras Hall estate in Ponteland, Newcastle, failed to respond to their request.

He was subsequently charged with failing to supply driver information.

Ba was written to and told to appear at South East Northumberland magistrates on May 17 to answer the charge, but failed to show.

He was given six penalty points on his licence, fined £1,000, told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

However, it then emerged Ba already had six points on his licence.

The case was reopened for re-sentencing due to the possibility of United’s number 19 being banned from driving, as the new six points would take him to 12.

He was due at the court in Bedlington, Northumberland, on August 1 but again did not make an appearance.

Ba was then written to by the court telling him to attend as magistrates were considering the ban.

But he again failed to show, without explanation.

Chairman of the bench Peter Edwards said: “We are satisfied that Mr Ba has failed to attend court yet again.”

Magistrates were told the court “knew nothing” of the player’s means.

Last Thursday they reimposed the original penalty of six points, the £1,000 fine, the £85 contribution to costs and £15 victim surcharge.

He was given 14 days to pay the fine and costs and banned from driving for six months.

Newcastle United declined to comment on the case.