Sunderland's Grant Leadbitter scared into speeding...

[Christmas Tree 4003]

A Premier League footballer accelerated to 112mph to escape what he thought were fans from his team's rivals – only to discover it was the police.

 

The Sunderland midfielder Grant Leadbitter, 23, had clashed with Newcastle United fans during a night out in the city. He became convinced the fans were trying to follow him home to County Durham as he drove across the Tyne Bridge and through Gateshead towards the A1. So when he reached the three-lane section of the road near the Angel of the North, he accelerated in his BMW M6 to try to shake them off.

 

When he put his foot down, the car behind accelerated. When he slowed, the car behind slowed and when he switched lanes, the other car changed lanes. Eventually, the police patrol Volvo hit 112mph and as the officer struggled to keep up activated the car's blue lights.

 

At Gateshead Magistrates' Court yesterday, Leadbitter, from Seaton, County Durham, admitted speeding but pleaded special reasons why he should not be banned or given penalty points. The player said when he noticed the police car following him, he thought it was Newcastle United fans. "My heart was beating fast, I was scared and I wanted to get home as quickly as possible," he told the court.

 

The police officer, sergeant Lynee McKevitt, said her attention was drawn to Leadbitter because of the manner of his driving when he overtook her and she decided to follow him. "I would describe his driving as aggressive," she said. "He was accelerating harshly and breaking harshly."

 

When she stopped Leadbitter she showed him the video. She said he accepted that his speed was dangerous and he was very apologetic. After viewing the video, district judge Roger Elsey said he accepted Leadbitter was upset and believed he was being followed because of what had happened earlier in the pub. But he had overtaken the sergeant, and if he had been paying attention he would have realised the vehicle following him was the one he had overtaken.

 

"While I accept he may have thought the vehicle from Askew Road was following him, he could not have thought it was following him from Newcastle city centre and therefore I do not find there are special reasons not to endorse or disqualify him," he said. "I do consider, however, that his belief from Askew Road, though unreasonable, was genuine and that reduces the sentence I would otherwise have imposed."

 

Leadbitter was banned from driving for 14 days, fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs plus a £15 victim's surcharge. A Sunderland FC spokeswoman said it was a private matter and the club would not be commenting.

[Guest alex]

Almost as good a story as when Fergie claimed he had the shits so he had to drive fast.

[TheMoog 0]

Almost as good a story as when Fergie claimed he had the shits so he had to drive fast.

 

To be fair I've driven fast when having the shits, nobody wants a shitty driving seat

[Fop 1]

Almost as good a story as when Fergie claimed he had the shits so he had to drive fast.

 

Did that work?

 

Mr Loophole certainly tends to get them off with such stories (a property conveyubermancer would be up in arms about that though ).

[NJS 4002]

My only thought was that average footballer like that shouldn't be able to afford an M6.

[Guest alex]

Almost as good a story as when Fergie claimed he had the shits so he had to drive fast.

 

Did that work?

 

Mr Loophole certainly tends to get them off with such stories (a property conveyubermancer would be up in arms about that though ).

Pretty sure he got off like.

[snakehips 0]

A good one I heard was when stopped by the polis, the bloke said he accelerated as he thought it was his wife. When the polis asked what his wife be doing in a police car, the bloke replied that she had left him some years previously and he was worried the copper was bringing her back.

[Howmanheyman 27514]

These Mackems come to town, can't take in the place, can't stand the pace, are totally phased by it and usually make arses of themselves. I can't really understand a Sunderland player coming here for a night out regardless of how much better it'll be than a night out in Sunderland, surely they can pick up a football groupie in the blue monkey?

[Sima 0]

I'd have no idea who Grant Leadbitter was if he bumped into me in the middle of the street, such is his insignificance. I can say that about a lot of Sunderland's squad tbh.

[Howmanheyman 27514]

I'd have no idea who Grant Leadbitter was if he bumped into me in the middle of the street, such is his insignificance. I can say that about a lot of Sunderland's squad tbh.

I don't think you're in the minority there, like.

[Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0]

Did he abuse any police dogs whilst he was here?

[Phil 6]

I like the Matty Patterson one... link

[Kitman 2188]

I'd have no idea who Grant Leadbitter was if he bumped into me in the middle of the street, such is his insignificance. I can say that about a lot of Sunderland's squad tbh.

 

This. I'm genuinely surprised anyone in the toon recognised him. It was probably mackems in the pub telling him he was gash.....