David Beckham denies speeding charge after ‘Mr Loophole’ lawyer claims legal papers were served late
Solicitor Nick Freeman claims the car was loaned from Bentley - and that the notice was sent to the manufacturer instead of to Becks
DAVID Beckham has denied a speeding charge after "Mr Loophole" lawyer claimed legal papers were served late.
The former England superstar, 43, will stand trial later this month after he was caught driving a loaned £200,000 Bentley at 59mph in a 40mph zone in January.
He admitted driving nearly 20mph over the speed limit in a loaned Bentley - but denies speeding because legal papers were served late, his lawyer has claimed.
His solicitor Nick Freeman, dubbed Mr Loophole for representing several celebrities facing driving charges, said it was "admitted" Beckham was behind the wheel and broke the limit.
But during a hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates Court today, Mr Freeman indicated a not guilty plea on Beckham's behalf because he claimed legal papers about the offence were not served on time.
A trial date of September 27 was set during the case management hearing, which Beckham did not attend.
He said the car was a "loan vehicle" from Bentley so a notice of intended prosecution was sent to the manufacturer instead of Beckham after it was clocked speeding.
But the letter was not received until more than the legal time limit of two weeks after the alleged offence on January 23, Mr Freeman said.
The court heard the letter, which was dated February 2, was not received by Bentley until February 7.
He said: "I don't accept it was served on the second. At the moment I don't have the chronology so I don't know.
"I accept the date on it is the second. As I understand it that's the date it was printed. Not the date it was served."
Mr Freeman added: "What I'm saying is the notice is defective because it arrived out of time."
The court was told a stamp to indicate receipt of the letter was dated February 7.
Prosecutor Simon Maughan said: "I'm accepting of the letter, I'm accepting of the date on the letter, I'm accepting that the seventh has been stamped on the letter.
"There can be no issue with the date on the letter."
Beckham, of Holland Park, West London, allegedly broke the limit while driving on the A40 flyover in Paddington, Central London.
Referring to the punishment if Beckham is found guilty, District Judge Barbara Barnes said: "I think we're in unlimited fines territory."
She added: "Service of the intended prosecution should be received within 14 days. The defence say it was outside 14 days."
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Asked whether Beckham would be present at the trial, Mr Freeman said: "I don't anticipate it."
He added: "If the case goes against him and if the result is disqualification then I will make it absolutely clear."
A trial date has been fixed for September 27.
The Sun Says
DAVID Beckham craves few things more than public approval and a Knighthood.
What, then, is he playing at over his speeding offence?
Most people who admit doing 59mph in a 40 zone take what’s coming. They can’t afford fancy lawyers infamous for getting celebs off on technicalities.
But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
No one — not the punters, nor the honours committee — will be patting Becks on the back if he effectively spends his way out of a conviction. It’s a bad look.
You did the crime, David. Pay the fine.
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