Defoe pays penalty: Spurs striker fined for 'frivolous' appeal over speeding ban

12 November 2009 01:02
Jermain Defoe was today criticised by a judge for making a "frivolous" attempt to escape speeding penalties - and handed a legal bill of more than £1,500.   [LNB]Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC dismissed Defoe's appeal against a driving ban, saying he thought the Tottenham and England striker had "played the litigation game".   [LNB] Good runner: Jermain Defoe warms up during an England training session at London Colney[LNB]During a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court, the judge said Defoe's arguments were based on "sad and ill-conceived technical points" and the appeal should not have been launched.   [LNB]Defoe, 27, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, appealed after being disqualified from driving in July.   [LNB]Chelmsford Magistrates Court had been told Defoe twice broke a 50mph speed limit on the M11 northbound in Chigwell, Essex, in 2008.   [LNB]District Judge David Cooper was told Defoe's luxury black Land Rover sports vehicle was clocked travelling at 65mph on April 16 and 81mph on June 5.   [LNB]Defoe denied any offence but Judge Cooper found him guilty of speeding and failing to inform the authorities who was driving.   [LNB]Defoe was fined £1,500, disqualified from driving for six months, had 12 penalty points added to his licence and was ordered to pay £600 costs.   [LNB]The footballer, represented by celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, appealed and argued there was no evidence to prove he was driving; prosecutors had not proved paperwork was issued by a person authorised by the chief constable of Essex; the court could not be sure Defoe had received speeding notices and the court could not be sure Defoe had not responded to the notices.  [LNB] Judge Goldstaub said: "This appeal is a frivolous and vexatious piece of criminal litigation by the appellant and should never have been initiated.  [LNB] "It is based on technical and legal points empty of substantial merit and bad in themselves."  [LNB] Right turn: Jermain Defoe holds off Sunderland's Jordan Henderson[LNB] The judge said paperwork had been completed by agents authorised by the chief constable.  [LNB] And he said it was "inconceivable, or at best highly fanciful," to assume post addressed to Defoe had twice gone astray.   [LNB]The judge said he was equally sure Defoe had not responded to the notices.   [LNB]Judge Goldstaub, who sat with two magistrates to hear the appeal, said he was also sure Defoe had been the driver.  [LNB] The judge said: "We don't know why the appellant ran these sad and ill-conceived technical points.   [LNB]"He must have been fully aware that, in reality, he was the driver and he had broken the speed limits.  [LNB] "We think he chose to give the prosecution a run for the money regardless, simply because he could afford to play the litigation game.   [LNB]"We regret this. His lawyers will have advised him it is a game of dubious validity.  [LNB] "We regret this appeal, which has taken up a day's court time when people waiting in custody for trials on serious charges should have been brought."  [LNB] The judge ordered Defoe to pay prosecution appeal costs of £1,570.  [LNB] "We feel that the [prosecution] claim is an extremely modest claim," said the judge.   [LNB]"We would lay long odds that Mr Freeman, solicitor for the appellant, and his counsel, are remunerated on a very much higher level."  [LNB] The judge was told Defoe's driving ban began as soon as the appeal failed.   [LNB]He said he hoped Defoe won a place in the England squad for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 but warned the striker not to get behind the wheel.  [LNB] The judge added: "We hope he gets to South Africa. But he must not drive in the UK."  [LNB] Defoe was not present in court to hear the judge's comments. [LNB] Fabio Capello loves the Spurs stars, claims England hopeful Tom HuddlestoneTottenham boss Harry Redknapp seeks reunion with Argentina star Andres D'Alessandro[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People:Jermain DefoePlaces:South Africa, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail