Dwight Yorke fined for speeding

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Sunderland footballer Dwight Yorke has been spared a driving ban after pleading guilty to speeding at 85mph.

The 36-year-old player had been returning home from a holiday on 8 July 2007 when he was stopped in his car on the A179 in Hartlepool.

At the time Yorke, who was accused of travelling at 95mph, refused to sign the police officer's form, prompting a hearing before Hartlepool magistrates.

He was fined £315 and given three penalty points.

The Trinidad and Tobago player was represented by barrister Nick Freeman, know as "Mr Loophole".

Travelling faster

Mr Freeman said his client had disagreed with the initial 95mph speed suggested by the officer.

He said a disagreement over this at the roadside meant that Mr Yorke had not signed the documentation at the time.

However, he added that the footballer accepted he had been travelling faster than the road's 70mph speed limit and asked the court to take into consideration his guilty plea for the 85mph charge.

Noting that Yorke now had a total of nine points on his licence, District Judge Stephen Earl warned the player that a further driving offence could mean the loss of his licence.

After the hearing Mr Freeman said: "Dwight had always accepted he was speeding. He accepted that to the officers at the time.

"The only issue was the speed that he was travelling and that was clearly resolved today."

Mr Freeman has represented several high-profile clients on driving charges including Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jeremy Clarkson.