Flintoff Cleared of Speeding Due to Delivery Delay

The England and Lancashire cricketer Andrew Flintoff became the latest sports star to be cleared of speeding yesterday after employing the services of a defence solicitor who is known as Mr Loophole.

Flintoff, 30, of Altrincham, Cheshire, was caught on camera allegedly speeding at 87mph in a temporary 50mph zone on the M62 near Huyton, Liverpool, in July last year. But his solicitor, Nick Freeman, said the prosecution had not followed proper rules and the case was dropped at Liverpool magistrates court.

The owner of the vehicle who received the speeding notice, an unnamed woman from Bicester, attended the court to give evidence, but was not needed.

The cricketer spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the brief hearing.

The crown had wanted to produce bad character evidence against Flintoff, who is renowned for his drunken antics following England's Ashes victory in 2005, but the hearing was dealt with quickly by deputy district judge Fiona Barrie after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Outside court, Freeman said: "It is a fundamental in any speeding case that the notice is sent and received within 14 days." But the document had arrived on July 19 - 18 days after the incident.

"It happens a lot if people care to look at it," he added. "He is very relieved to have the matter disposed of. It happened last July and now he can concentrate on his cricket." Following the hearing the cricketer signed autographs for court staff before leaving the building in a Volkswagen 4x4.

Freeman is known for successfully defending high-profile clients.

Among his celebrity defendants are David Beckham, snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, television presenter Jeremy Clarkson and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He also defended the model Caprice Bourret, who was accused of drink-driving in 2006, but lost that case and she was banned for 12 months and fined £1,000 with £2,500 court costs.