Dyer loses speeding appeal

Dyer loses speeding appeal

Dyer did not attend the hearing

England footballer Kieron Dyer has lost an appeal against a speeding conviction after hitting 80mph in a 50mph zone.

A court heard how the Newcastle midfielder overtook an unmarked police motorcycle on the A1 near Grantham, Lincolnshire.

The 23-year-old was stopped further down the road after the officer clocked his speed and chased his BMW.

A radar device on Pc Roger Dent's bike showed Dyer was travelling at an average of 80.29mph in a temporary 50mph zone in February last year.

Three reasons for appeal

He was later found guilty of speeding by Grantham magistrates - but on Friday appealed against the conviction at Lincoln Crown Court.

The footballer, preparing for Newcastle's game against Chelsea on Saturday, was excused from having to attend the hearing.

A top barrister employed to represent him claimed there were three reasons why he should not have been convicted of the offence.

Gareth Jones QC said the Vascar radar device was unreliable and also alleged there had been two abuses of the proper legal process.

But Judge John Machin, sitting with two magistrates, rejected the appeal, saying Pc Dent had been a "very impressive witness".

He re-imposed the original sentence of a £500 fine, £250 in costs and six penalty points - but with £900 in costs.