Morning:
13°c
Jermain Defoe fined for speeding
Ben Bailey05.08.09
England footballer Jermain Defoe was fined and given penalty points for a speeding offence.
Defoe, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, did not attend the hearing today at St Albans Magistrates Court, where he was fined £500 and handed four penalty points. He was also ordered to pay court costs.
The 26-year-old was caught by a speed camera driving a Ferrari at 45mph in a 30mph limit in Hertfordshire last year.
The case comes only a month after the Tottenham Hotspur striker was disqualified from driving after being found guilty of speeding, but his sentence was immediately suspended as his lawyers appealed against the conviction.
Chelmsford Magistrates Court heard Defoe denied twice breaking a 50mph limit on the M11 in Chigwell, Essex, in 2008.
Reader views (4)
Wow you certainly are tolerant of law breakers in the UK. Do you Brits even care anymore about your country? You have politicians who couldn't give a stuff about you and a justice system that allows violent old and young criminals to roam the streets in packs drunk and abusive. This man, constantly in the eye of the public and expected as a mature adult to set an example for the young to follow breaks the law and is allowed to get off with a pathetic fine. Don't blame anyone else though you - the voter - have allowed this to happen.
- William Ear, Waltham Cross
At least he can get his missus to drop him off, or get the bus...
Im sure one of his mates can come and pick him up...
- Adrian, london
The courts are totally responsible for treating "celebrities" differently from the rest of us. This is where the rot has crept in.....that is why people, such as thick footballers, earn so much money when the vast majority of us in Britain couldn't give a monkeys about them.
The serious situation is this - others always feel they can get away with more crime if their idol is not punished sufficiently. The celebs are in the public eye, through their own choice, so should be responsible, show the young the way, and not break the law.
Defoe should get on TV and say he was wrong for breaking the law, and offer his services to help young people away from crime.
- Rod, Epping, UK
He gets paid well over £50,000 a week. He probably wouldn't even notice if £500 fell out of his pocket. A repeat offender, he should have his licence taken away.
- Nolan, Londonist
