Premier League footballer bailed over false documentation charges

A Premier League star has appeared in court charged with using a false Belgian driving licence and four other offences.

Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote, who was 27 yesterday, is accused of using the allegedly false document as a form of ID “to establish personal information” about himself in December.

The Ivory Coast international is also charged with committing fraud by using the allegedly false document to get a UK licence, also in December. In addition, he is accused of making a false statement to obtain insurance in September 2011 by allegedly claiming that he held a full driving licence without endorsements.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He is further charged with driving his Chevrolet, with the personalised plate T10 TEV, in Newcastle in February without a licence or insurance.

Accompanied in court by a French interpreter who translated the proceedings, the player answered the clerk’s questions about his name, address and date of birth in English.

He wore a dark blue suit for the hearing, with bangles on his right arm.

No pleas were entered.

The case was sent to be heard at Newcastle Crown Court as the charge of possessing a false identity document could not be heard by magistrates. Tiote was granted unconditional bail and will appear next on July 5.