Rio Ferdinand has received a driving ban for six months after speeding at 85mph in a 70mph zone.
The 41-year-old former footballer was caught in his new Mercedes in July 2019 following three previous speeding offences.
Rio appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court today (August 18), where he received a six-month ban.
Why did Rio Ferdinand get a driving ban?
The sports star was on the A27 dual carriageway at the Hangleton interchange in Hove, East Sussex, at the time of the incident.
It was a three-point penalty offence. Rio already had, so this resulted in an automatic disqualification.
In 2012, the dad-of-three received a ban from driving for six months after speeding three times on the same stretch of road in five weeks.
He was also clocked in 2005, 2003 and 2002.
‘Hugely detrimental’
Rio told the court he does not allow his children to travel with a chauffeur. He claimed they needed him to drive following the deaths of his wife and mother.
He also stated that the ban would add “exceptional hardship” as he needs to get Lorenz, Tate and Tia to school.
The effect of a ban would be hugely detrimental to the family set up.
His lawyer, Udo Onwere, said: “I do understand the points that have been raised by the prosecutor. It is possible to have other arrangements.
“But this is part of their reluctance to travel with anyone else because of the double trauma they have suffered over the last few years.”
“The last three to four years have been an extremely difficult period in my client’s life. There have been family bereavements meaning my client has become a single parent for his children. He has entered into a new relationship with his wife who is currently pregnant.”
He went on: “The effect of a ban would be hugely detrimental to the family set up due to the fact that the family will rely on Mr Ferdinand to take them to and from events.
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“Being able to drive them around has seen a massive improvement in his eldest son who is beginning to come out of the trauma.”
Rio and his wife Kate are currently expecting their first child together.
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