Driving ban for boxer on speeding charge

BRITISH number one boxer Tyson Fury has appeared in court handcuffed to a security officer after spending the weekend in police custody on a speeding charge.

It followed the issuing of a warrant for the 6ft 9in tall heavyweight fighter, who had previously pleaded guilty to the offence by letter at the Dumfries Justice of the Peace Court.

Fury had twice failed to turn up after being ordered to appear personally and a warrant was granted for his arrest.

As the sportsman sat in the dock, his father and manager John Fury asked to be allowed to speak and told the court: “I take the blame for his non-appearance.

“There had been a change of address and as his manager I am responsible for dealing with matters like that and hadn’t picked up his mail.”

Tyson, who originally gave an address in Heysham, Lancashire, had sent in a letter to the original hearing admitting he drove at 90 mph on the A75 near Carrutherstown, between Dumfries and Annan, last November.

He also admitted failing to comply with a solid white line marking and the court had ordered his personal appearance because of the possibility of a disqualification.

Mr Fury Sr pointed out that he now lived in Lancaster, and as his son sat in the dock, added: “He needs his driving licence because of the amount of travelling he has to do.”

But Justice John Bickett indicated there were already 11 points on Fury’s licence and banned him from driving for two months and fined him £400.

As he left the court the British title holder said he was arrested on Friday night and spent the weekend in custody.