Jimmy Tarbuck, 83, fined for hit and run incident near comedian's £5.5 million home

Tarbuck pleaded guilty to the offences by post as he didn't appear at the hearing in Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The offences against him were driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident, and failing to report an accident.

As well as sending his guilty plea by post, Tarbuck also sent a letter of apology to the court.

Tarbuck has been fined £716 by the Magistrates Court alongside £110 costs and ordered to pay a £286 victim surcharge.

The comedian was also slapped with five penalty points on his previously clean driving licence.

In court, prosecutor Laura-Ann Harding detailed: "The defendant drove a vehicle without due care and attention.

"They collided heavily into stationary vehicles, causing severe damage and at the same time an accident occurred with another vehicle, a Vauxhall Corsa and they failed to stop when required and give their name and address.

"Multiple vehicles were hit and one was shunted forward three houses.

"Nobody was injured as all the vehicles were parked and empty at the time."

Bench chair Dr Samantha Cobb also said in court: "We have read his mitigation and the bench fully accept he is full of remorse and is deeply apologetic.

"We accept this was utterly out of keeping with his character and we take into account he had recently lost his sister and it had been her funeral in the preceding days.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• BBC cost-cutting claims another casualty as hit gameshow AXED - leaving fans 'gutted'
  
• Bobby Brazier leaves BBC Strictly fans 'fuming' as he makes controversial finale move: 'Defeats the point!'
  
• Jeremy Clarkson collared by council AGAIN as Clarkson's Farm star dumbfounded by latest Diddly Squat spat
  

"He says he cannot explain why he did not stop that day."

Tarbuck was driving a green Lexus and was recorded on-camera making his way away from the incident.