England star Ashley Cole guilty over 104mph drive

England footballer Ashley Cole was yesterday found guilty of driving at more than 100mph in a 50mph zone.

The Chelsea star, who did not attend court, was in his black Lamborghini Gallardo on the A3 in Kingston, Surrey, when a speed gun recorded him driving at 104mph.

Cole denied the charge, claiming he was being chased by photographers at the time. But Judith Jewell, presiding, told Kingston Magistrates' Court: "We find that we were convinced enough by the evidence given that he was travelling at 104mph.

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"Our reasons are that we feel that the evidence of the police officer was credible, and we feel entitled to believe that the equipment was operating properly."

Sentencing was adjourned until the end of the month so that Cole could be present. Ms Jewell warned that he might be banned from driving.

Cole, 29, told police he thought he was driving at 80mph when he was stopped just after midday on November 17, 2008.

The fact that Cole, married to singer and presenter Cheryl Cole, may have been trying to avoid photographers was irrelevant, magistrates were told by Richard Lomax, prosecuting.

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Lawyers representing Cole, of Godalming, Surrey, tried to adjourn the case to allow evidence from an expert on speed guns to be considered, but the bench refused.

Premiership footballer Jermain Defoe pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of speeding.

The England and Tottenham Hotspur striker admitted driving at 45mph in a 30mph zone in Portsmouth on May 8, 2008.

He pleaded not guilty to failing to give details of the driver and the count was dropped by the prosecution. Defoe, 27, who did not attend the hearing, was fined 400 with 45 costs and 15 victim surcharge and given four points on his licence.