Defoe loses appeal over speeding

Jermain Defoe had denied both speeding offences

England and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has lost an appeal over a speeding conviction in Essex.

Defoe, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, was disqualified from driving in July after being found guilty of speeding, but the sentence was suspended for the appeal.

At Chelmsford Crown Court Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC dismissed the appeal and said the original sentence would stand.

The footballer was fined £1,500, his licence was endorsed with 12 points and he received a six-month driving ban.

In July Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard the 27-year-old twice, who had denied any offence, broke a 50mph speed limit on the M11 northbound in Chigwell in 2008.

Paperwork 'invalid'

He was convicted for failing to inform the authorities who was driving his Land Rover car on each occasion.

The vehicle was clocked driving at 65mph (105km/h) on 16 April and 81mph (130km/h) on 5 June.

Defoe's legal team said the appeal was partly based on an argument that police paperwork was invalid on the grounds it had been handled by an unauthorised person.

Judge Goldstaub said he would set out his full reasons at a further court hearing next Wednesday, but Defoe's disqualification would proceed immediately following the hearing.