Scotland's Adam Hastings handed driving ban

Glasgow and Scotland fly-half Adam Hastings has been banned from driving after being caught using a mobile phone and also speeding, a court heard.

Hastings, who has been capped 32 times by Scotland, was given a six-month driving ban and fines and costs totalling £618 after pleading guilty to using a mobile phone while driving and a separate speeding offence.

Gloucestershire Magistrates’ Court heard the 28-year-old, son of former Scotland captain Gavin Hastings, was spotted on February 20 last year using his phone by uniformed police officers on the A40 Golden Valley bypass in Gloucester.

The court also heard he had been caught speeding at 37mph in a 30mph zone in the North Kensington area of London on June 8 last year.

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As Hastings already had six points on his licence after previously being caught speeding in 2022 and 2023, he was liable for disqualification under the totting-up procedure.

Scott Davies, prosecuting, told the court: “On February 20 at around midday, police officers in a marked patrol vehicle saw a grey Kia Sportage driving along the A40 northern bypass.

“As the car approached the Elmbridge Court roundabout, the vehicle was seen to weave left and right before moving across to the left lane.

“Police observed the driver holding the mobile phone and his mouth was seen to move up and down as if engaging in a conversation.”

Mr Davies said the two officers stopped Hastings and informed him he would be reported for an offence of using a mobile phone.

Hastings, of Shurdington Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, did not attend the hearing but had pleaded guilty to both offences.

Anton Balkitis, representing the rugby player, said Hastings had only used the phone for around five seconds when he was caught and there was a “small amount of movement to one side”.

“The officer does say he was weaving but it could have been potholes,” he said. “The police officers were attracted by that standard of driving.

“He is a high-profile professional rugby player. His father is also a well-known rugby player.

“There is no statement of means form. The reason is Mr Hastings wants this matter dealt with as discreetly as possible.

“He also doesn’t wish to raise any exceptional hardship and doesn’t want any publicity of it all.

“He is very contrite and deeply apologetic about his driving. This will not occur again and he has learned his lesson.”

Hastings is the newest member of a famous rugby dynasty and is the third member of the family to represent the senior Scotland side, following father Gavin and uncle Scott.

He is currently in his second spell with Glasgow Warriors, having previously played for Bath and Gloucester.