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Premier League footballer faces ban after speeding conviction
Ben Bailey12 Aug 2009
A Premier League footballer is facing a possible driving ban after he was found guilty of speeding today.
Pascal Chimbonda, 30, of Loughton, Essex, was caught driving his Porsche Cayenne at 91mph on the A19, near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, in January this year.
The Tottenham defender, who did not appear for the trial at Northallerton Magistrates' Court, will be sentenced next month.
The court heard Chimbonda already had nine penalty points on his licence from previous offences.
He was given three points in September 2007 for failing to provide information as to the keeper of the vehicle and another six points in July 2008 for having no insurance.
Magistrates indicated they would hand the Spurs player a further four points at his sentencing on September 10.
Craig Sutcliffe, prosecuting, told the court Chimbonda was recorded driving at 91mph on the southbound carriageway of the A19 by a traffic officer using a laser speed device.
Traffic Constable Matt Knowles, of North Yorkshire Police, followed the vehicle for around a mile after taking the reading before stopping the French international player.
Robert McMaster, defending Chimbonda, claimed the officer had breached police guidelines by failing to personally measure the distance used to check his device that day and for not turning off his in-car police radio while using the speed gun.
But magistrates found that, while the use of the radio was a breach of Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines, there was no other evidence to suggest the device was not reliable.
They also found that the distance used to test the equipment was recorded on a certificate which had been checked by TC Knowles at the beginning of his shift.
Chair of the bench, Lewis Grant, said: "We conclude the device has provided a reliable reading and we therefore find him guilty."
The case was adjourned until September 10 for sentencing.
Chimbonda originally signed for Tottenham from Wigan Athletic in August 2006 but later left to play for Sunderland.
He rejoined the London club in January this year.
Reader views (1)
Typical overpaid, thick, moronic, arrogant footballer.
Ban this idiot for at least 12 months.
- Lb, Bromley, 13/08/2009 01:00
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