Steve Claridge guilty of dangerous driving
FORMER Pompey footballer Steve Claridge was today found guilty of dangerous driving.
A jury at Coventry Crown Court took one hour and 45 minutes to decide that his driving on the M42 motorway on December 30, 2006, was dangerous.
The soccer pundit, who lives in Fareham, was pulled over by an unmarked police car on the southbound carriageway between junctions 4 and 3, after repeatedly undertaking other vehicles on the road, Coventry Crown Court heard yesterday.
The court was told that the ex-footballer drove at speeds of around 100mph in ''treacherous'' conditions.
Claridge had denied reaching such speeds, telling jurors he was driving at ''slightly in excess of 70mph'', and was trying to leave the motorway to find a toilet.
He also denied that it was raining at the time of the alleged offence.
He told the court: ''It certainly wasn't dangerous. It wasn't the best bit of driving I have ever done but it wasn't dangerous.''
Nigel Wilkins, prosecuting, told the jury yesterday that Claridge drove at high speed on wet roads, repeatedly switching lanes and causing other drivers to ''brake sharply in order to let him in''.
It was, he said, a ''consistent piece of dangerous driving''.
Pc Geoff Bell, one of the two uniformed officers to pull Claridge over, told the court he noticed Claridge coming up behind him in his rear view mirror and was concerned about his speed, adding: ''He would have been travelling at approximately 100mph in order to catch up with us quite quickly.''
Pc Keith Dyson estimated Claridge's speed at ''100mph or more'' and added that it was dark at the time of the incident, which was around 6.40pm, and glare from headlights and brake lights had reduced visibility.
The court heard from both officers that Claridge, driving a silver Peugeot 307, was at one point ''straddling'' two lanes as he attempted to move from the middle lane into the fast lane.
Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph.
When told that he may face prosecution for dangerous driving, Claridge told officers: ''I'll lose my job,'' the court heard.
Both officers described 42-year-old Claridge ''jumping up and down'' on the hard shoulder when he was pulled over.
Pc Dyson said: ''As I started speaking to him, he started jumping up and down on the hard shoulder, holding his crotch and acting like a child who is desperate to go to the toilet.
''He indicated that he was desperate for the toilet and was trying to find the services.''
He added: ''He continued to jump up and down in what I deemed to be an embarrassing action.''
The officer said he initially told Claridge he could not urinate at the side of the road because of the high volume of traffic, but later relented, allowing him to go down a grass embankment to relieve himself.
Following the verdict the court heard that Claridge already has nine points on his driving licence.
He was fined and given three points on November 1, 2005 for ''failing to give information as to the identity of the driver'', Mr Wilkins said.
He was also fined and given three points in August of the same year for a similar offence.
On December 29, 2005 he was issued with a fixed penalty notice for exceeding the speed limit on a motorway and given a further three penalty points, the court heard.
Adjourning sentencing until next month, Judge Peter Carr said he considered the dangerous driving conviction ''a serious matter'' and imposed an interim disqualification, banning Claridge from driving immediately.
1:08pm Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away on 2:32pm Tue 13 May 08
He will walk. Waste of time and money
He will walk. Waste of time and money
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 3:21pm Tue 13 May 08
Let's hope the justice system sees sense and convicts this appalling man for crimes against broadcasting and football.
Let's hope the justice system sees sense and convicts this appalling man for crimes against broadcasting and football.
Posted by: Craig David, Get a rewind on 3:24pm Tue 13 May 08
" he started jumping up and down on the hard shoulder, holding his crotch "
Maybe he was performing an impromptu and (some may say) inappropriate impression of alleged child/chimp botherer Michael Jackson.
" he started jumping up and down on the hard shoulder, holding his crotch "
Maybe he was performing an impromptu and (some may say) inappropriate impression of alleged child/chimp botherer Michael Jackson.
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 3:34pm Tue 13 May 08
"Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph."
About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
"Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph."
About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
Posted by: Denzil, work on 4:19pm Tue 13 May 08
Lock him up dirty skate. He should have gone to Pompey if he was that desperate. It's one big toilet.
Lock him up dirty skate. He should have gone to Pompey if he was that desperate. It's one big toilet.
Posted by: Ben, Southampton on 4:39pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote:
"Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate. [/quote] Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!!
hulla wrote:
"Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!!
Posted by: Mad Max, Thunderdome on 6:40pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Ben[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate. [/quote] Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!! [/quote] if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions"
I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...
Ben wrote:
hulla wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!!
if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions"
I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...
Posted by: Mickey Jay on 8:41pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Mad Max[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Ben[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate. [/quote] Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!! [/quote] if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions" I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...[/quote] Why would the other cars be speeding - the Police could have been overtaking them! Also, the Police officer, probably a slightly better driver than most, would have seen the car approaching and started to increase his speed in anticipation. We should all be thankful for officers like PC Bell and PC Dyson
Mad Max wrote:
Ben wrote: hulla wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!!
if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions" I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...
Why would the other cars be speeding - the Police could have been overtaking them! Also, the Police officer, probably a slightly better driver than most, would have seen the car approaching and started to increase his speed in anticipation. We should all be thankful for officers like PC Bell and PC Dyson
Posted by: Harry, Southampton on 9:37pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Mickey Jay[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mad Max[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]Ben[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]hulla[/bold] wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate. [/quote] Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!! [/quote] if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions" I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...[/quote] Why would the other cars be speeding - the Police could have been overtaking them! Also, the Police officer, probably a slightly better driver than most, would have seen the car approaching and started to increase his speed in anticipation. We should all be thankful for officers like PC Bell and PC Dyson[/quote] Totally agree with you. I hope the judge has some common sense and takes this menance off the road and sticks him inside for a long time. I think an example needs to be made of him.
Mickey Jay wrote:
Mad Max wrote: Ben wrote: hulla wrote: "Pc Bell said he illegally overtook three cars on the nearside, including the unmarked police car, which was travelling at around 85mph." About time the traffic Police did something about the drivers in outside lanes while there is nothing inside them, including the Police if this report is accurate.
Agreed! Women and oldies seem to forget there is an inside lane there. We should do what the Americans do and bring in under and overtaking! They wouldn't be sat in the middle lane doing 60mph then!!
if he undertook 3 cars on the nearside including an unmarked police car which was travelling 85mph.... surely the other 2 cars were in excess of the legal motorway speed limit as was the police vehicle.... which we are led to believe were "not ideal conditions" I think the judge should give the driver of the police car 3 points for speeding on a public highway... surely they aren't allowed to break the speed limit unless on an emergency call out or the coffee & donut run...
Why would the other cars be speeding - the Police could have been overtaking them! Also, the Police officer, probably a slightly better driver than most, would have seen the car approaching and started to increase his speed in anticipation. We should all be thankful for officers like PC Bell and PC Dyson
Totally agree with you. I hope the judge has some common sense and takes this menance off the road and sticks him inside for a long time. I think an example needs to be made of him.
Posted by: King Mush, Woolston on 10:53pm Tue 13 May 08
So PC Dyson cleaned up?
lol@ pathetic excuse about 'needing the toilet'
Cops pulled him over and he got agitated and offered the plea: "I'm looking for a s***house"
Cop "You've found one - can I see your licence please....."
So PC Dyson cleaned up?
lol@ pathetic excuse about 'needing the toilet'
Cops pulled him over and he got agitated and offered the plea: "I'm looking for a s***house"
Cop "You've found one - can I see your licence please....."
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