Golf star speeding charge dropped

Police failed to serve the golfing champion with a summons

Golfer Colin Montgomerie has had a speeding charge against him dropped after a mistake by police.

The sportsman was accused of speeding at 88mph on the M80 at Dunipace, near Falkirk, on 24 February.

Mr Montgomerie was reportedly driving a Lexus when it was snapped by a mobile speed camera on the 70mph road.

His trial at Falkirk District Court was abandoned when it emerged officers in his home town of Surrey had failed to serve him with a summons.

Mr Montgomerie, 44, did not appear at the hearing on Tuesday.

Procurator fiscal depute Neil Bowie said the case had been treated as "not called".

Celebrity clients

Under Scots law, the prosecution has six months from the date of an alleged motoring offence to serve a summons on an accused.

If they do not do so, the case is "time barred" and fails.

A Crown Office spokeswoman said: "This case was 'not called' in court today, as the documents had not been served on the accused by his local police force in Surrey.

"There will be no further proceedings."

The case marks the second time that Mr Montgomerie has eluded a speeding charge in three years.

In September 2004 he was accused of driving at 96mph on the A3, near his Surrey home.

The case collapsed after one of the arresting police officers failed to turn up at court for the case.

Mr Montgomerie's solicitor, Nick Freeman, was known for his success in using legal technicalities to get celebrity clients, including Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham, acquitted for driving offences.