The court heard she already had nine points on her licence, from three speeding offences in June 2023 and then June and July 2025.
She told the court she believed she would have to have the dog rehomed if she was unable to drive him to his daily walks, saying: “I think the emotional turmoil of that would truly damn my career as a writer.
“It’s very, very solitary and I work exceptionally hard and I would just stop.”
La Plante, who is best known for creating Prime Suspect’s no-nonsense Det Ch Insp Jane Tennison, admitted driving at 24mph twice, 25mph, 26mph and 27mph in the latest offences, which all happened as she was on her way to take her dog for his daily walk.
Giving evidence, La Plante said she got her dog Theo after suffering the devastation of the untimely death of another dog, Hugo.
Fighting back tears, she said she “lost it” when Hugo died and she “didn’t know what to do with [her] life”.
She added her new dog had helped her through the grieving process.