Premier League Star Accused Of Fleeing Cafe Crash

Ibe: Bee Back For Trial Next Year

Premier League star Jordon Ibe demolished the front of a coffee shop after crashing into it in the early hours of the morning, a court heard yesterday.

The 24 year-old AFC Bournemouth winger pleaded not guilty to failing to stop after his £133,000 Bentley 4x4 crashed into The Pantry coffee shop in south-east London.

Ibe, who lives in a £1.1m six-bedroom detached house in Haven Road, Poole, Dorset, appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court. 

He pleaded not guilty to failing failing to stop after an accident in Plaistow Lane, Bromley on July 30, which also involved a parked black Mercedes-Benz.

Prosecutor Mr. George Crivelli told the court Ibe waited at the 4.50am scene of destruction only four minutes before reversing his white 4-litre Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV and driving away.

“He caused such damage that the front had to be razed (corr) from the foundations and was rendered unsafe. He left part of his car inside the shop.”

It has been reported Ibe’s vehicle was identified from a broken wing mirror found in the debris. 

A second charge of driving the 2.4 tonne 187mph vehicle without due care and attention was not put, but Ibe’s lawyer Mr. Jonathon Morrissey indicated his client would plead guilty at a later date.

The Bermondsey-born winger, who in 2016 joined AFC Bournemouth from Liverpool for a then club record of £15m, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during the short hearing.

The England U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 international, who was wearing black jeans, a black v-neck pullover and trainers will stand trial at Bexley Magistrates Court on February 10, next year.

Rebuilt: Crash Scene Cafe

“The Crown say in Plaistow Lane, Bromley Mr. Ibe was the driver of a white Bentley Bentayga. At around 4.50am the defendant was involved in a collision,” explained Mr. Cravelli.

“His vehicle has left the road, collided with a parked car and crashed into the shop front.

“It is said to have remained there a short time and then reversed and left the scene.

“The actions of the defendant have not been to the required standard expected of someone driving on the road. He has not waited at the scene.”  

Ibe says he waited ten minutes at the scene, but there was nobody to exchange details with, a claim disputed by the police, who responded immediately to a 999 call.

“Police were at the location in four minutes and he had already left the scene.”  

Ibe’s lawyer Mr. Morrissey told the court: “Mr. Ibe waited for a considerable time at the scene. At that time nobody made themselves available to exchange details.”

The damage was reportedly approximately £15,000 and cafe owner Sarah Dickson only discovered the destruction the following day.

“In her statement she says she was at the shop at midday the next day and nobody had left a note,” said Mr. Cravelli.

Magistrate Mr. Philip Widdowson released Ibe on unconditional bail and told him to be on time for his morning trial.

The crash occurred eleven days before AFC Bournemouth’s first  Premier League match of the season on August 10, a 1-1 home draw with Sheffield United in which Ibe did not feature.

The £38,000-a-week forward has failed to impress since his big-money transfer, making a total of 89 appearances in all competitions and only scoring 3 goals.

This season Ibe has only made two Premier League and two League Cup appearances for the club and has failed to find the net.