A hedge fund manager yesterday failed in his bid to have a speeding fine reduced — even though he has since been banned from driving altogether. Piers Buckworth, 36, of Fulham, west London, said the fine should have been less than £440 because he had pleaded guilty but his plea had not been passed on to the court. Buckworth, head of hedge fund sales and a partner at Mint Partners, was caught speeding at 41mph in a 30 zone along Lower Thames Street in central London on December 4 last year. He was banned in May for driving without insurance.