Defoe hires 'Mr Loophole' for speeding trial

Jermain Defoe has hired the lawyer known as “Mr Loophole” to represent him as he stands trial for speeding and other driving offences, Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed today.

Defoe, who recently made a £15m (€16m) move from Portsmouth to Spurs, is to be represented by Nick Freeman who has become famous for helping celebrities including Jeremy Clarkson avoid driving convictions.

The 26-year-old striker is alleged to have been caught by speed cameras in Portsmouth on three occasions last year.

He is charged with failing to identify the driver of a vehicle when requested to do so in relation to the three speeding offences.

The alleged speeding offences are of exceeding 40mph twice on May 7 and March 12 and of exceeding 30mph on May 8 2008.

He initially pleaded guilty to three offences alleged to have occurred in Canvey, Essex, on April 17 last year but later changed his pleas to not guilty and a trial is to be held on March 23.

He is charged with permitting the use of a vehicle without insurance, permitting use of a vehicle while in a dangerous condition because of heavily tinted windows and aiding and abetting driving without a licence.