Newcastle ace Tiote to deny licence fraud
NEWCASTLE United midfielder Cheick Tiote has appeared in court on five charges including using a false identity document and fraud.
The Ivory Coast star is accused of using a fake Belgian driving licence in a bid to obtain a UK licence.
The 27-year-old ( above), of Jesmond, was not asked to enter a plea during the hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.
Tiote’s car, a £75K Chevrolet Camaro with the number plate T10 TEV, was seized by cops at the time of his arrest in February.
No details of the allegations were given in court but his defence said: “He did not know or believe the Belgian driving licence was false”, and added that the charges will be denied.
Tiote will be back in court for a plea and directions hearing on September 6 and has been granted bail in the meantime.
Judge James Goss QC ordered a French speaking interpreter to be available for the trial, which has been listed for the week of October 28.