Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been banned from driving for six months after being convicted of two speeding offences committed within two days. The 51-year-old was also ordered to pay fines, costs, and court fees totalling £1,472.
Speeding incidents
Scholes was caught speeding in a Range Rover on the A649 Halifax Road near Cleckheaton in March, when his car was clocked at 37mph in a 30mph zone. West Yorkshire Police launched a prosecution. In a separate incident, a Mercedes registered in his name was caught going 49mph in a 30mph zone on Mossley Road near Ashton-under-Lyne in November last year, leading to a prosecution by Greater Manchester Police.
Scholes also faced charges for failing to respond to two police letters asking him to confirm he was the driver. The cases were heard under the Single Justice Procedure, and he was convicted in his absence after not entering pleas.
Court outcomes
At Bradford Magistrates' Court on August 12, Scholes received a six-month driving ban for the speeding offence, along with a £220 fine, £120 costs, and an £88 victim surcharge. The following day, at Manchester Magistrates' Court, he was fined £660, given six penalty points, and ordered to pay £120 costs and a £264 victim surcharge.
Court documents showed that Scholes replied to a notice of intended prosecution for the first incident, but no reply was received to letters sent in the second case. The speeding allegation in the second case was dropped, but the failure to reply charge stood. Scholes was not offered a speed awareness course because he already had penalty points on his licence, making him a 'totter'.
Career highlights
Scholes played 499 times for Manchester United and won 66 caps for England. His career included 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cup wins, and two Champions League triumphs.
