Court sets Defoe trial for after World Cup

Tottenham and England footballer Jermain Defoe is set to go on trial after the World Cup accused of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving.

Defoe, 27, of Cuffley, Hertfordshire, denies using the phone while at the wheel of a Range Rover in Loughton, Essex, last October.

A district judge sitting in Chelmsford, Essex, today said a pre-trial hearing would take place on June 11 – the day the tournament starts and the day before England’s opening game – but said the striker would not need to attend.

Court officials said it was likely that a trial would take place at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court after July.

District Judge David Cooper initially considered setting a trial date in June but was told that Defoe would be unavailable.

The judge asked why and prosecutor Joseph Stickings explained: “He (Defoe) is probably playing in the World Cup.”

Defoe did not attend today’s hearing.