Bestselling author Lynda La Plante has been disqualified from driving for six months despite tearfully telling the court a ban would end her writing career. La Plante pleaded guilty on Monday to breaking the 20mph speed limit near her home in Kingston-upon-Thames five times between November 2025 and April this year. La Plante bluntly told the court she would wind up her writing company if banned, putting four staff members out of work. The magistrates imposed fines totalling £3,330 on La Plante, handed her a six-month ban as her points total rose to 24, and ordered her to pay £130 costs and a £1,332 victim surcharge. La Plante said she feared her writing career was over (Hannah McKay/PA)And she said her new dog has helped her through the grieving process.