Footballer convicted of speeding

Chimbonda was driving at 91mph in a 70mph area

A Premier League footballer is facing a possible driving ban after he was found guilty of speeding.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Pascal Chimbonda admitted driving his Porsche at 91mph on the A19 near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, on 11 January.

Chimbonda, 30, of Loughton, Essex, will be sentenced next month. He did not appear for the trial at Northallerton Magistrates' Court.

He already has nine penalty points on his licence from previous offences.

The court heard Chimbonda was given three points in September 2007 for failing to provide information as to the keeper of the vehicle and another six points in July 2008 for having no insurance.

Magistrates indicated they would hand the player a further four points at his sentencing on 10 September.

'Guidelines breached'

Craig Sutcliffe, prosecuting, told the court Chimbonda was recorded driving at 91mph on the southbound carriageway of the A19 by a traffic officer using a laser speed device.

Traffic Constable Matt Knowles, of North Yorkshire Police, followed the vehicle for about a mile after taking the reading before stopping the French international player.

Robert McMaster, defending Chimbonda, claimed the officer had breached police guidelines by failing to personally measure the distance used to check his device that day and for not turning off his in-car police radio while using the speed gun.

But magistrates found that, while the use of the radio was a breach of Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines, there was no other evidence to suggest the device was not reliable.

Chimbonda originally signed for Tottenham from Wigan Athletic in August 2006 but later left to play for Sunderland.

He rejoined the London club in January this year.