March 29, 2002 (Thursday) from Yorkshire post

Woodgate in trouble again for speeding

THE shattered reputation of Leeds United star Jonathan Woodgate has taken another blow after he was caught speeding through North Yorkshire at almost 100mph.

Club officials last night declined to comment after it emerged Woodgate, 22, had been convicted of his fourth speeding offence in as many years.

The England international's latest brush with the law follows his conviction for affray in December for his role in a savage attack on Asian student, Sarfraz Najeib.

The star, who had denied speeding, was labelled a "persistent speeder" by Kate Fox, chairman of Ripon magistrates. She banned him from driving for six months and ordered him to pay a £500 fine and £250 costs. The ban was suspended after Woodgate's lawyer launched an appeal.

The fallout from the Najeib case has continued to dog Woodgate and last week the Leeds star was told he would not be considered to play for England until after the World Cup.

The Football Association last night declined to say if England manager Sven Goran Eriksson had been aware of Woodgate's impending court case when the decision was made.

Woodgate was recorded doing an average speed of 97mph in his Cherokee Jeep on the A19 near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, last July.

A police officer in an unmarked patrol car said he had pulled in to let Woodgate's Jeep pass after it rapidly closed up behind.

PC Stuart Langford used the patrol car's radar and clocked Woodgate's average speed at 97.71mph as he followed him along the A19 near Barrowby.

As the footballer already had nine points on his licence, the officer could not issue a fixed penalty as that would trigger a ban. As PC Langford tried to explain the situation, Woodgate, said he did not have time to talk and drove off.

His lawyer, Paul Taylor, said the radar could not be relied upon for an accurate measurement because PC Langford had not actually measured the mile over which he said he tracked Woodgate.

Woodgate, who did not attend court, has recently completed 100 hours' community punishment after being found guilty of affray at Hull Crown Court in December.

His performances since returning to the Leeds team after the trial were widely considered good enough to warrant inclusion in the England team but his selection has been postponed. Mr Erikson referred to the ban the FA imposes on violent fans when explaining his reasoning for not picking Woodgate.

Although the criminal case has ended, Woodgate and his co-accused in the assault trial are expected to face a civil action for damages from the Najeib family, from Rotherham.

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