Khan facing arrest

Neither the world lightweight title hopeful nor his legal team appeared at Rochdale Magistrates Court on Friday for a pre-trial review on a charge of speeding.

Khan was warned at the last hearing in Rochdale that he needed to attend the hearing, District Judge Tim Devas said: "The matter will proceed to a conclusion one way or the other next week. If he (Khan) does not attend, a warrant for his arrest could be issued."

Khan, 20, is accused of driving at 140mph on the M62 motorway near Rochdale, last New Year's Eve.

A trial date was expected to be fixed on Friday but the case had to be put back a week because of the absence of Khan and his solicitor, Barry Warburton.

Judge Devas also told court clerks: "Can Mr Warburton write to me personally to explain the discourtesy of neither his client or himself attending? And depending on the explanation I may refer this matter to the Law Society."

The reigning Commonwealth lightweight champion was allegedly clocked by manned equipment speeding at twice the legal limit in his BMW 360i convertible.

Earlier this week, Khan was banned from driving for six months and fined £100 at Bolton Crown Court after speeding through a red light in the wrong lane.

His careless driving led to him knocking down a pedestrian on a pelican crossing, breaking the man's leg.

Judge Devas adjourned the speeding matter until Friday, November 2 and said the case could be proved in Khan's absence next week and he could face a driving disqualification if convicted.