Yorke gets six-month ban for 100mph 'tailgating'

Soccer ace Dwight Yorke was banned from driving for six months today after he admitted tailgating other motorists at speeds of up to 100mph.

The Birmingham City striker was clocked by traffic police speeding around 30 miles over the legal limit and getting to within 10 feet of other drivers, Chorley Magistrates Court was told.

He was caught by police in his gold-coloured Lincoln Aviator 4x4 driving along the M61 motorway on his way to the airport on May 5 last year.

Police followed the ex-Manchester United forward for 10 miles and videotaped his driving as he accelerated close to the rear of five cars.

The 33-year-old, who at the time played for Blackburn Rovers had left the club’s training ground and was late for a flight to his native Trinidad where he to planned to visit family.

Dressed in a dark charcoal grey suit, white shirt and black tie, Yorke of Alderley Edge, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to one count of driving without due care and attention.

He was represented in court by celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, who has previously acted on behalf of other football stars including David Beckham and Alex Ferguson.

Yorke, who is father to a two-year-old boy with former girlfriend Jordan, refused to comment on his ban as he left court.

Magistrates were played a police video which showed him driving at high speed in the outside lane of the motorway.

Outlining the prosecution case, Tim Heap said: “The defendant tailgated a total of five vehicles and that was, the prosecution say, tailing them too close.

“During the course of ten miles, the speed of the vehicle was recorded as being at or about 100mph.”

When asked by traffic police why he thought he had been pulled over, and what was wrong with his driving, Yorke replied: “A bit too fast.”

Mr Freeman described Yorke as being “genuinely contrite” and told how he “sincerely apologised” for his behaviour.

He said: “He accepts his driving fell below the standard of driving expected of a competent driver.

“On four occasions or possibly five, he was travelling too close to the vehicles in front.”

Mr Freeman claimed Yorke spotted the unmarked police vehicle early in its pursuit, but said he did not know it was a police car and feared it may have been angry fans.

He said: “He was distracted by the presence of the vehicle. He was distracted by it and concerned by it.

“He had a general degree of anxiety about it. He didn’t know that they were police officers.

“He was very much aware and felt highly anxious that men were tailing him and this was at a time when there was a great deal of antagonism surrounding him.”

The court was read a letter from Yorke’s former boss and Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who described him as “well liked” and having a “good rapport” with team mates during his four years at the club.

The magistrates were told that the loss of his licence would be an inconvenience for Yorke, both in order to travel to training sessions and matches, and also due to his weekly visits to his partially-sighted son, Harvey, who lives in Brighton with Jordan.

Magistrates chairman, Edna Aspden, gave Yorke six penalty points, which combined with an existing six from earlier motoring offences banned him from driving for six months.

Speaking outside court, Mr Freeman said the loss of Yorke’s licence would be an “enormous inconvenience”, adding his client was currently considering an appeal.