Beckham’s Mr Loophole ploy to avoid Bentley speeding fine
DAVID Beckham is to deny speeding in his £200,000 Bentley – after his ‘Mr Loophole’ lawyer claimed the fine arrived late.
The former England footballer is accused of driving a loaned car at nearly 20mph over the speed limit.
The father- of-four was clocked doing 59mph in a 40mph limit on the A40 near Paddington during rush hour on January 23 this year.
However, his solicitor Nick Freeman – known as Mr Loophole – says Beckham admits being behind the wheel of the speeding vehicle, but will plead not guilty on a technicality when he faces trial this month.
Wimbledon magistrates were told yesterday that the star did not receive the speeding fine within the two-week period required by law. A letter, dated February 2, 2018, was sent to Bentley, which had loaned the 43-year-old the vehicle.
Mr Freeman claimed a stamp showing its receipt was marked February 7 – one day after the 14-day time limit.
He said: ‘I’m not disputing it wasn’t served. I’m saying it was served out of time. There’s no issue in terms of [who was] driving or speed limit. I don’t accept the letter was served on February 2. From what I understand, that is the date that it was printed, not that it was served.’ The court was told that Beckham, who lives in West London, could be disqualified if he is found guilty.
The law, contained in section one of the Traffic Offenders Act 1988, says drivers must be told what offence they have committed, and when and where it happened within 14 days. The notice of the offence can also be sent to the vehicle’s owner in cases where it is on loan.
The court heard the prosecution planned to call one witness – a woman who works for the police in the central ticketing office.
District Judge Barbara Barnes said: ‘The ticket should be received within 14 days and the defence say it was outside 14 days because the letter has a date stamp for receipt on February 7 – that is the fifteenth day.’ She added that if ‘the decision went against’ Beckham there could be ‘an issue of disqualification’. The maximum fine for doing between 56mph and 65mph in a 40mph zone is £1,000 and up to six penalty points. Mr Freeman added: ‘If there is any issue of disqualification, I will make it abundantly clear that he cannot drive a car.’ The trial will take place on September 27 and the ex-footballer is not expected to attend.
In 1999 Beckham was convicted of doing 76mph in a 50mph limit in a £150,000 Ferrari. But he was acquitted on appeal after Mr Freeman said he had been ‘intimidated and petrified’ by a paparazzo.
The lawyer has successfully defended a series of other highprofile clients.
Mr Freeman made his name when he defended Sir Alex Ferguson against a charge of driving on the hard shoulder of a motorway by arguing that the Manchester United manager had had an upset stomach. His other former clients include Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Jeremy Clarkson.