Magistrates indulge another speed maniac

A Premier League footballer accelerated to 112mph

The police officer, Sergeant Lynee McKevitt, said her attention was drawn to Leadbitter because of the manner of his driving when he overtook her and she decided to follow him.

"I would describe his driving as aggressive," she said. "He was accelerating harshly and breaking harshly."

The sort of slob often to be seen on motorways, in other words.

At Gateshead Magistrates' Court yesterday, Leadbitter, from Seaton, County Durham, admitted speeding but pleaded special reasons why he should not be banned or given penalty points.

The Magistrates duly obliged, giving him no points (how many did he have already, I wonder?). Instead this wealthy yob was rapped with a feather by being

banned from driving for 14 days, fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs plus a £15 victim's surcharge.