A Love Island star has avoided jail after being caught speeding on false plates along the hard shoulder of the A2 while under the influence of cocaine.

Jack Fincham, from Swanley, was stopped by officers in an unmarked police car after they spotted the 31-year-old driving a white BMW without due care and attention near Dartford.

The TV personality, who won the 2018 ITV2 series of Love Island with his ex-girlfriend Dani Dyer, appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court this morning to answer to his “unacceptable standard of driving”.

He admitted to using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance, driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit, driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road without due care and attention, and fraudulently using a registration.

Fincham was handed a 12-week suspended sentence, which was reduced from 16 weeks due to his early admission.

Judge Dr Brody said: “It was extremely lucky that there no accident.”

But added: “I am happy to suspend the sentence due to the confirmation that Mr Fincham has stopped taking drugs and drinking and that he is also a professional boxer who runs his own business.”

Prosecutor Victoria Aked earlier told the court: “At around 1.30pm on August 26, 2023, an unmarked police car was travelling along the A2, Dartford, in heavy traffic.

“Officers saw a BMW travelling at speed along the hard shoulder.

“Officers illuminated their blue lights before joining the hard shoulder. The vehicle’s dash cam showed that the BMW travelled a significant distance on the hard shoulder before stopping.

“The BMW eventually stopped and spoke to police. To not distract other motorists the vehicle and Mr Fincham were moved to a safer area.

“Mr Fincham was asked to provide a breath sample, which he did, and it came back negative.

“A drug swipe was also completed and it came back positive for cocaine.

“He was taking to the North Kent police station where a blood sample was taken.

“This revealed Mr Fincham had 800 micrograms of a controlled drug, namely Benzoylecgonine, in his blood.”

The test was also positive for cocaine, diazepam and morphine but the amount was under the legal limit.

Ms Aked added: “In the interview Mr Fincham gave full admissions.

“He said he’d had a bad morning and was going to see a friend in a bad way and that he was being selfish by driving in the way he was. He was angry.

“He said he wasn’t looking at his speedometer but assumed he was doing over 70mph.

“He said he couldn’t afford his insurance so asked a friend to clone a car’s registration plate, that matched the make and model of his car, so Mr Fincham’s vehicle would come up as insured.

“He said he paid £100 for these plates.”

During his police interview he was noted as saying “I’m an idiot” and that it was “a stupid decision”.

As of August 26, 2023, Fincham’s only previous conviction was for drink driving in 2014.

However, in October 2023 he was convicted of two drug driving offences.

Fincham was given a community order which he remains under until October 2024.

The prosecution concluded: “The offence happened while Mr Fincham was on bail for the October matter.

“There was a high level of traffic in three lanes of the motorway and he was reaching excessive speed and was driving in an aggravated manner.

“There was also somebody out there whose vehicle’s insurance was covering someone else’s car.”

The probation officer was asked to speak before Fincham’s defence.

He understands he made a silly mistake with the insurance and understands what could have happened

She said: “Mr Fincham told me he was heavily on drugs at the time of the offence and took cocaine daily, five times a week with a two-day break.

“He understands he made a silly mistake with the insurance and understands what could have happened.

“He has been using drugs since he was 18 years old, before dropping in August 2023 following his offence.

“The use of recreational drugs began following the loss of his Nan. He developed depression and this escalated.

“He admits to taking cocaine and diazepam at the time and was spending £150 a day on the substance.

“However he has moved on with his life. ”

The court heard Fincham has given up drink and drugs and is now into boxing and fitness and is due to compete in Dubai next month.

“He has abstained since last August,” the probation officer added.

“In September Mr Fincham also set up an office supply and stationery company.

“He currently earns around £1,500 a month but his boxing matches will increase his pay.”

The probation officer also confirmed that he’s been diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD which he is on medication for.

He has also been visiting a life coach over the last nine weeks.

Fincham’s defence, Richard Graham, said: “This gentleman was honest and upfront with police. He was very open and accepted what happened.

“He admitted the offences and didn’t waste their time.”

Alongside his sentence, Fincham must also complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement sessions.

The judge said: “If you breach these requirements or commit another offence on your suspected sentence you will be placed into custody.”

Fincham has also been disqualified from driving for 67 months from today.

The judge explained this number takes into account the remaining 31 months of his previous conviction in October 2023 and the 36 months from today’s hearing.

Fincham has also been told to pay a £346 fine, which was reduced due to his early admission, along with a surcharge of £154 and £85 in court costs.

He must pay the court £585 in the full in the next 28 days.