Newcastle United's Cheick Tiote 'to deny' fraud and driving charges

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-23241480

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Newcastle United footballer Cheick Tiote is to deny five charges including using a false identity document and fraud, his lawyer has told a court.

The midfielder, 27, was stopped by police on 12 February near the club's training ground on suspicion of fraud in relation to driving offences.

The Ivory Coast star is accused of using a fake Belgian driving licence in a bid to obtain a UK licence.

Newcastle Crown Court heard he would contest the charges at a trial.

Mr Tiote's barrister Robert Adams told the Recorder of Newcastle James Goss QC the French-speaking player would need an interpreter when the trial took place in October.

Granted bail

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, said: "I understand that the matter will be contested and that a trial date in October would be convenient to the parties."

It will take an estimated three days.

Mr Tiote, who has not entered pleas, will do so formally at a hearing on 6 September. He was granted bail in the meantime.

Mr Tiote, who lives in Jesmond, Newcastle, faces the following charges:

Born in the Ivory Coast, he moved to Belgian club Anderlecht in 2005 and then played for Dutch side FC Twente before signing for Newcastle in 2010.