Former England midfielder Jack Rodwell appears in court over six-month driving ban he knew nothing about
- Former Jack Rodwell has appeared in court over a six-month driving ban
- Rodwell failed to tell police who was driving a Mercedes registered in his name
- He attended Stockport magistrates to challenge the conviction against him
- Rodwell said he was unaware as documents had been sent to his former address
Footballer Jack Rodwell appeared in court on Friday after he was given a six-month driving ban without him knowing.
The 27-year old Blackburn Rovers midfielder had been convicted in his absence earlier this month after he failed to tell police who was driving a Mercedes registered to him which had allegedly been involved in a road traffic offence.
But the footballer attended Stockport magistrates in Greater Manchester to challenge the conviction for failing to provide information – claiming he was unaware of the case as court documents were sent to his former address.
Footballer Jack Rodwell has appeared in court over a driving ban he was not aware of
Rodwell attended Stockport magistrates to challenge a conviction for failing to provide info
The former England player claimed documents had been sent to his previous address
The player’s explanation was accepted and he will now face a trial over the allegation at Warrington in November.
The ban, which was imposed under totting up procedure as he already had six points on his licence – has now been overturned.
Rodwell was also fined £660 with £166 in costs and surcharges at the earlier hearing but the penalties will also be withdrawn.
Rodwell told the hearing: ‘I only found out about the case on September 15 because information was forwarded to my new address outlining the details of the charge imposed.’
After leaving Sunderland Rodwell briefly trained with Watford before joining Blackburn Rovers
The midfielder moved to Blackburn in hope of kick-starting his football career once more
Rodwell now plays his football in the Championship after previously turning out for Man City
His lawyer Chris Evans added: ‘Mr Rodwell had moved address and by the time he became aware of the matter it was over 28 days.
‘On 15 September information was forwarded to the new address that outlined there was a conviction and disqualification.’
Rodwell who lives in Prestbury, Cheshire denies failing to give information relating to the identification of driver of a £59,000 Mercedes GLE coupe which was allegedly involved in an undisclosed offence in the Winsford area on June 8.
Rodwell signed to Championship team Blackburn after his £70,000 a week contract with newly relegated Sunderland was cancelled on June 27 following a poor run of form.
Rodwell has represented England at all youth levels along with the senior men’s team
Coming through the youth set up at Everton, Rodwell became one of the most highly rated midfielders in the country at a young age and earned a senior England cap before later securing a high profile move to Manchester City.
After finding his playing time limited at the Etihad Rodwell’s career began to stall, with a disastrous spell at Sunderland to follow which culminated in the mutual termination of his contract after failing to make a first team appearance since September 2017.
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