Former Toon Defender Escapes Ban Because Of 'Loophole'!

Woodgate, 28, had always refuted the allegation that he had broken a temporary speed limit while driving his Mercedes S65 on the A66 near Long Newton, near Stockton on Tees, in January this year.

The prosecution case alleged that Woodgate had been caught travelling at an average of 67.9 miles per hour on the stretch of road monitored and as high as 85 miles per hour - speeds that he denied.

The case was formally dismissed at a hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court in Middlesbrough after a discrepancy in the length of the road came to light in the prosecution evidence.

After hearing evidence the District Judge decided to dismiss the case and formally find Mr Woodgate not guilty.

The police speed check was stated as having been carried out over a distance of 519 metres, yet the westbound carriageway on which Mr Woodgate was travelling at the time was said in evidence to be only 405 metres long.