By Liz Hull
Daily Mail
07 May 2008
A SPEEDING case against Andrew Flintoff was thrown out of court in just 41 seconds yesterday – thanks to the efforts of the lawyer known as Mr Loophole. The 30-year-old England cricketer was due to stand trial at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court to answer allegations that he drove a Volkswagen at 87mph in a 50mph zone.
But it took the millionaire solicitor Nick Freeman – whose nicknamederives from his success in helping to clear celebrity clients chargedwith motoring offences – less than a minute to persuade the judge thecase should be dropped.
Flintoff spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth when he appeared in court.
The father of three, from Altrincham, Cheshire, was so far over thespeed limit that he could have been banned from driving and fined up to�1,000 if found guilty.
However, Mr Freeman, who charges his clients around �10,000 per day,pointed out that the Crown Prosecution Service had broken legal rulesby failing to serve their papers within two weeks of the allegedspeeding offence being committed.
As a result, Sharon Bourne, prosecuting, was left with no choice but tooffer no evidence and the case was dismissed by district judge FionaBarrie.
Following the hearing, Mr Freeman said his client was ‘very relieved’ the case was over.
‘He just wants to get on with playing his cricket,’ the lawyer added.
‘It is a fundamental importance in a speeding case that the notice ofintended prosecution is sent and received within 14 days. This onewasn’t.’
Flintoff was allegedly clocked driving at 87mph by a speed camera onthe west-bound carriageway of the M62 in Broadgreen, Liverpool, lastJuly 1. Mr Freeman said the notice of prosecution did not arrive untilJuly 19.
The lawyer’s celebrity clients include Jeremy Clarkson, David Beckham and Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Manchester United manager was cleared of driving on the hardshoulder after Mr Freeman argued he had a stomach bug and was hurryingto use a toilet. ...read more...
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