Paul Scholes banned from driving for speeding

Former Man Utd player Paul Scholes has been for speeding in his Range Rover [Reuters] Former Manchester United footballer Paul Scholes has been handed a six-month road ban after he racked up two driving convictions in the space of two days. The 51-year-old was caught speeding in a Range Rover on the evening of 3 March while on a late-night drive through Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire. In the second case, Scholes's Mercedes broke the speed limit on Mossley Road near Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, on the morning of 14 November last year. On 12 August at Bradford Magistrates' Court, he was handed a six-month driving ban for the first offence, along with fines. The next day at Manchester Magistrates' Court he received six penalty points on his licence, and further fines. Fines, costs, and court fees for the criminal cases totalled £1,472. A court official said Scholes, who was prosecuted in private hearings under the Single Justice Procedure, did not enter pleas to either of the charges he faced and was convicted in his absence. Scholes was convicted under the Single Justice Procedure [PA Media] Court documents obtained by the Press Association news agency show Scholes's Range Rover was caught speeding at just after 23:30 BST on 3 March on the A649 Halifax Road near Cleckheaton. Police said the former footballer replied to a notice of intended prosecution, confirming he had been the driver. And the court papers noted that Scholes could not be offered the chance of an out-of-court settlement with a speed awareness course as he is a "totter" – meaning he already had penalty points on his licence and was now in line for an automatic ban. In the second case, Scholes's Mercedes broke the speed limit on the A670 Mossley Road near Ashton-under-Lyne at 11:10 BST on 14 November last year. Police said two letters were sent to his home and "no reply has been received". At court, the force dropped the speeding allegation but continued to prosecute Scholes for failing to reply to the letters. Scholes played 499 times for Manchester United and won 66 England caps in a trophy-laden career which included 11 Premier League titles, three FA Cup wins, and two Champions League triumphs. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.