Source: Daily_Mail
Newcastle captain Nolan teams up with Mr Loophole to beat speeding charge
Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan has been found not guilty of failing to identify the driver of a vehicle which was allegedly caught speeding.[LNB] Magistrates in Bedlington were told that the 28-year-old footballer was the registered owner of an Audi S8 which was allegedly clocked doing 37mph in a 30mph zone in Newcastle last July.[LNB] In the clear: Kevin Nolan [LNB] Nolan told the court he could not remember if he was driving at the time, or if another member of his family was behind the wheel, despite attempts to find out.[LNB] He also told the court he owned the Audi S8 as well as an Audi Q7, a Range Rover and a Bentley.[LNB] He said his father, wife and brother were all insured to drive the vehicles, adding: 'We all used them.'[LNB] Nolan denied failing to supply information about the identity of a driver of a vehicle allegedly involved in an offence.[LNB] Magistrates accepted his version of events and dismissed the case, saying he had exercised reasonable diligence. [LNB]Close call: Nolan's car was clocked near Newcastle's ground during the summer break[LNB]Nolan told the court the date of the alleged speeding offence, July 27 last year, was in the close season and the date was not particularly significant to either himself or members of his family.[LNB] He said his father and brother would often visit him and his wife and two children from Liverpool, where he originates from, and they all used the pool of cars.[LNB] Nolan said no-one had a favourite vehicle, adding: 'It just depends which has got the most petrol, or if my daughter needs dropping off at school or I take a friend into work, it just depends on that.[LNB] 'Anyone drives any car at any one time. Whatever we feel like.'[LNB] He said he tried to find out who was driving at the time by questioning members of his family.[LNB]He also said he informed his management company, who were dealing withthe paperwork surrounding the speeding allegation, that three otherpeople were potential drivers on that day.[LNB] He also requested photographs of the car caught on camera to see if he could identify the driver, the court was told.[LNB]'I just tried to recollect who was up,' he told the court. 'The datedoesn't stand out for any of us. I spoke to my father, brother andwife.'[LNB] Nolan, who lives in Ponteland, Northumbria, was asked ifBarrack Road, Newcastle, where the alleged speeding offence occurred,was significant.[LNB] He replied: 'It is near the stadium where I play but there is no reason why I should be at the stadium that day.'[LNB] Nolan was represented by barrister Adam Birkby, who was instructed by Nick Freeman's law firm, a favourite with footballers and celebrities.[LNB] Mr Freeman has been nicknamed Mr Loophole after a succession of legal victories often involving alleged motoring offences. [LNB] Barton brands Barry a teacher's pet as Newcastle bad boy rips into England teamNewcastle face striker crisis after Best ruled out for the rest of the season All the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People: Kevin Nolan Places: Newcastle, Liverpool
