Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole faces a driving ban after he was found guilty of speeding.

Police recorded Cole driving his black Lamborghini Gallardo sportscar at 104 mph in a 50 mph zone on the A3 highway in Kingston, Surrey, on November 17 last year.

Cole, 29, told officers when he was stopped just after midday he thought he was travelling at 80 mph and was being pursued by paparazzi photographers, the Press Association reported.

"Can't you do anything about those idiots who keep chasing me?" he told the officers, Kingston Magistrates Court heard.

Cole was not present at the hearing, where his lawyers argued unsuccessfully that the police speed gun might have been faulty.

Prosecuting lawyer Richard Lomax said evading the press was no defence for the offence of speeding.

Magistrates' chairwoman Judith Jewell said she and her colleagues were satisfied that the speed equipment was working properly and that Cole was indeed travelling at 104 mph.

She said Cole may be banned from driving. The footballer, who is married to model and presenter Cheryl Cole, will be sentenced on January 29.