Spurs star wrongfully accused of driving violation

Yesterday, the Tottenham squad flew off to Beijing for a pointless money-spinner pre-season friendly with West Ham, but Darren Bent was hauled off the plane at the eleventh hour as his switch to Sunderland finally went through. The underperforming hitman, however, wasn’t the only one to miss the flight, as Jermain Defoe found himself in a spot of bother with the law.

Defoe was pulled over by traffic police yesterday, who believed he was banned from driving. The striker explained that a six month penalty imposed earlier this month was suspended pending appeal, but the fuzz were having none of it, and threw him in a cell at the station in Harlow, Essex for five hours. Unlike a certain member of the Tottenham squad, it is believed the 26-year-old did not cry or wet himself while in police custody.

He was eventually freed at 9am yesterday, after it was revealed the ‘Police National Computer’ [the what?] had not been updated.

After losing five hours in which he could have been boffing ladies he met in Movida, it is understood Defoe may sue for his wrongful imprisonment.

Jamaica manager cites ‘exceptional hardship’ as an excuse

With nine points on his licence, former Liverpool legend John Barnes faced a further six points and an automatic ban when he was caught driving his BMW X5 without insurance. Rather than take his punishment like Pepe Reina, the 44 year old took the Damien Duff-approved route of avoiding motoring offences, claiming ‘exceptional hardship’.

Barnes, pictured here partying with a handsome football website editor, lives in a £1m home on Merseyside, drives a luxury gas-guzzler and can earn up to £4,000 a week with television and managerial/ scouting duties. Despite his lifestyle, he claimed he would have to employ a chauffeur if he was banned, and couldn’t afford to do that and support a wife, an ex and six children.

The excuse worked and a Cheshire magistrate forced him to pay a £2,000 fine instead. According to this website, that equates to about 40 hours with a luxury chauffeur.

[The Telegraph]