Annie Kilner, the partner of Manchester City and England defender Kyle Walker, has had a speeding allegation dismissed in a dramatic court hearing after her lawyer - the renowned 'Mr Loophole' - exposed a critical police error.
The case centred around allegations that Kilner was driving her Range Rover at 88mph in a 70mph zone on the M62 near Huddersfield last December. However, the prosecution collapsed at Leeds Magistrates' Court when celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman identified a fundamental mistake in the police paperwork.
The Paperwork Problem
Freeman, famous for getting high-profile clients off driving charges, successfully argued that the case should be dismissed because the Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) was sent to an incorrect address. Despite Kilner having updated her details with the DVLA, the crucial legal document was sent to an old Manchester address where she hadn't lived for over two years.
'This was a clear and fatal procedural error,' Freeman told the court. 'The law requires that such notices must be sent to the address held by the DVLA at the time of the alleged offence. In this case, that didn't happen.'
Mr Loophole's Track Record
Nick Freeman has built a formidable reputation for identifying technicalities that see driving cases dismissed. His previous clients include:
- David Beckham
- Wayne Rooney
- Jimmy Carr
- Andrew Flintoff
- Colin Farrell
In this instance, Freeman argued that because Kilner never received the original notice, the entire prosecution was invalid from the outset.
What This Means for Future Cases
Legal experts suggest this case highlights the importance of strict adherence to procedural requirements in traffic offences. The dismissal serves as a reminder that even when guilt isn't in question, the prosecution must follow correct procedures to secure a conviction.
The case also raises questions about whether Kilner, who is currently pregnant with the couple's fourth child, will face any further action regarding the alleged speeding offence.
