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Hamann hit by driving ban

22 October 2007



Hamann hit by driving ban - News image

PA

Manchester City footballer Dietmar Hamann was today banned from driving for six months and hit with an £8,250 legal bill for a series of motoring offences.

He lost his licence after his £70,000 Porsche Carrera crashed into a fence and he refused to tell police who was driving.

The 34-year-old former Liverpool midfielder was discovered by police in the early hours of Halloween last year running away from the crash site.

When police questioned him about who owned the car he replied: “No, I couldn't drive like this.”

The former Germany international pleaded guilty to failing to supply information to police.

But he denied driving without due care and attention, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident.

He was convicted at an earlier trial he did not attend.

Today, magistrates in Macclesfield fined him £7,750 and ordered him to pay £500 costs.

His barrister, Tom Gilbart, told the court Hamann earns £30,000 a week. Outside court, the player, dressed in a brown suit, said he would not be appealing and refused to name the driver of his car.

Gilbart asked the court to impose penalty points rather than a fine.

He said: “Nobody else was injured during the accident, no other vehicle was damaged, the only damage done other than to his vehicle was to the fence belonging to Manchester Airport and full reparations were made as soon as possible and paid in full by Hamann.

“This isn’t a drink-driving case.

“The offence is totally out of character for the defendant.”

He added: “He is a family man with two children aged eight and nine and is married.

“As part of his work with Manchester City, he has undertaken voluntary work with the homeless.”

Hamann, who has one week to pay the court, was given a £45 on-the-spot fine in February for not wearing a seatbelt.

Chairman of the bench, Stephen Conquer, warned the player that if he drives during his six-month ban, he will face a jail term.





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