Speeding Star: Ex-Arsenal Forward Paul Merson Banned From Roads

Former footballer turned tv soccer pundit Paul Merson was banned from the roads for six months yesterday after being caught speeding four times in the space of eight months.

The 56 year-old ex-Arsenal star already had three speeding convictions on his driving licence and the additional penalty points triggered an automatic ban.

The Sky TV ’Soccer Saturday’ star, of Victor Road, Teddington, Richmond-upon-Thames, appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court, where he received three penalty points for each new offence.

He was repeatedly caught driving his silver three litre VW Touareg over the speed limit in south-west London and Surrey throughout 2023.

Merson pleaded guilty to exceeding the 50mph limit on the M3 motorway in Thorpe, Surrey on February 27, last year by driving 10mph over the limit.

He also admitted twice exceeding the 40mph speed limit on Great Chertsey Road, Twickenham by 7mph on both occasions on September 9 and September 11.

Merson further pleaded guilty to exceeding the 50mph limit in Country Way, Feltham on October 1 by driving at 7mph over the limit.

“We have heard what has been said on your behalf and take into account your guilty pleas and the circumstances and the speeds you were doing,” magistrate Joan Lindsay told him.

“However these were four matters in a relatively short period of time and looking at your driving record, which is not great we will add points and you will be a totter and be disqualified.”

The magistrates also fined Merson £2,640, with £110 costs and ordered him to pay a £1,056 victim surcharge.

Merson made a total of 749 club appearances, scoring 154 goals and won 21 full England caps, scoring three international goals during his playing career.

The Harlesden-born forward was a product of the Arsenal youth system and went onto play for Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Walsall.

Merson won two league titles with Arsenal; plus the FA Cup; League Cup and European Cup winners’ Cup and also managed Walsall for a brief period.

Three-times married Merson is a father-of-eight and currently shares a £900,000 house with his wife and their three children, aged nine, six and three years-old, with the eldest attending Chelsea FC’s football academy.

His lawyer Nicholas Maggs told the court: “There are no aggravating features beyond the fact of the speed and because of the number of offences, Mr Merson faces totting up.

“I wish to express his remorse. He pleaded guilty by post at the earliest opportunity and apologises to the court through me.

“In each case these are relatively modest speeds, compared to some these courts consider.

“These are roads with variable speed limits, they go up and down and Mr Merson did not appreciate at the time that they were varied.

“The disqualification will have a substantial effect on him and his family. He lives with his wife, who does not drive, and their three children.

“Mr Merson is responsible for the school run for the two oldest children  and his son, aged nine, plays for Chelsea Academy, which is a forty-five minute drive for him.

“This is a substantial commitment with matches and practice four times a week and Mr Merson is the only option for driving his son there.

“It is going to make things substantially more difficult.”

In 2021 Merson revealed his gambling addiction costs him almost £7 million, resulting in the losses of houses, cars, his pension, marriages and ultimately his self-respect.

“As a younger man Mr Merson suffered a number of difficulties himself and has tried to turn that around and speaks to different organisations every week.

“Sometimes these are charity events, not paid, and the purpose is to help young people address their own mental health problems, whether that’s gambling or alcohol addiction,” explained Mr Maggs.

“He has received a number of replies saying how positively he has effected them and his work has contributed to a government white paper concerning gambling.

“The advertising of the gambling companies had changed and they now take much more responsibility regarding their customers and how much money they are gambling.

“Mr Merson has played a significant part in general terms, specifically regarding gambling and mental health with young men who have an interest in football and know him.

“He is not seeking to say his son will not attend football and he will not attend speaking engagements as he sees that as an important part of his daily and weekly life, but the disqualification will make things more difficult for him and his family.

“These speeding offences were not significantly over the limit and he acknowledges it is not acceptable and expresses his remorse for that.”

“Driving while disqualified is a very serious offence so do not risk it,” the magistrate Mrs Lindsay told Merson. “Do not risk it, even for short periods as it is an imprisonable offence.”

Creepy Train Driver Targeted Sleeping Female Passenger

An off-duty train driver took upskirt images of a sleeping female passenger while riding a service after his shift.

Thameslink driver Paolo Barone, 51, of Brackley Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire was travelling home on Thursday, September 15, 2022 when he preyed on the unsuspecting woman.

Still wearing his Thameslink uniform on the Blackfriars to St Albans train he repeatedly captured the images on his mobile phone throughout the forty-five minute journey.

British Transport Police have described the offences as a “disgusting violation” and the victim was described as “horrified” when later informed of the shocking event.

As he prepared to leave the train at St Albans he then took more images, positioning his phone so that it was directed up the woman’s skirt.

His employer identified him and Barone was arrested at his home address.

Three phones and a computer were seized with one of the phones found to contain five images of the woman.

He was found guilty of voyeurism and sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

He must also complete a 55 hour Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and sign the sex offenders register for seven years.

Investigating officer DC Daryl Keogh said: “Wearing his work uniform meant Barone was in a position of trust when he committed this vile and disgusting violation. 

“Seeing the woman was sleeping and vulnerable he took the opportunity, not to watch out for her, but to commit this hideous act.

“The woman was horrified when she learned what had happened as she slept.

"We will stop at nothing to deter, pursue, arrest and bring sex offenders on the railway network to justice.

“Every report is important. See it or experience it, you can report anything that makes you uncomfortable.

"We urge everyone to save 61016 to their phones and download the Railway Guardian app before you travel so you can discreetly get in touch with us if you need us.”

Jean Cockerill, People Director for Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We were shocked and appalled to learn about this incident. 

“As soon as we were made aware we followed our internal procedures, which included suspending the individual as soon as he was identified.

“We hold our colleagues to the highest standards of conduct and this type of behaviour will never be tolerated.

“We thank the person for their courage in coming forward and reporting this crime, and we encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses this type of behaviour on the railway to report it to the British Transport Police.” 

No Love In This Elevator: Police Investigate Railway Station Assault

A teenage girl had her hair pulled and was struck to the face during a violent row with a mystery woman in a railway station lift.

British Transport Police (BTP) are treating the incident as a “serious assault” as their investigation continues.

Investigating officers have released this CCTV image of the suspect.

They are requesting the assistance of members of the public to help identify her.

At approximately 2.50pm on Friday, March 15, the 14-year-old victim entered the lift at Tilbury Town railway station. 

A woman with a small child then entered the elevator and an altercation ensued before the woman pulled the teenage girl’s hair and hit her in the face.

Officers believe the woman in the image may have information that could help their investigation.

Anyone who recognises her or has further information is asked to contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 435 of 15 March.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Actress Liz Hurley's Model Nephew Caught Drink-Driving

The model nephew of actress Liz Hurley was caught drink-driving by police, alerted to his erratic midnight driving in his two-litre BMW, court heard.

Miles Hurley, 27, was speeding up and slowing in the 20mph zone, tailgating cars in front after enjoying drinks with his football teammates.

The six-foot son of Liz’s older sister Kate Curren has strutted the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk and more recently was pictured with cousin Damian Hurley at the luxury Italian fashion brand’s DG Logo Bag cocktail party launch.

He also accompanied his famous aunt at ‘The Royals’ New York series premiere, the US series in which Liz plays an imaginary Queen of England.

Hurley appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Friday under his mother’s married name of Curran.

He pleaded guilty to driving his grey BMW Gran Coupe SE with excess alcohol in his breath in Lambeth on April 14.

Hurley had 45 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit is 35.

He still resides in the same Nile Elms neighbourhood where he was stabbed in 2018, losing six pints of blood during a road rage attack for which nobody has been prosecuted.

Prosecutor Sophie Thompson told the court: “It was around midnight when officers’ attention was too drawn to a vehicle because the car was speeding up and slowing down and was very close to other vehicles.

“The driver was pulled over and alcohol was smelled on the breath of this defendant and he failed a roadside breath test for alcohol and was arrested and taken into custody.

“An aggravating factor is that there was an unacceptable standard of driving in that he was speeding and tailgating other vehicles.

“The officers said he was driving at an excess speed.”

Hurley’s lawyer Mark Haslam handed in character references on behalf of his client and said: “I am slightly troubled by the way the prosecution suggest the manner of driving was an aggravating factor.

“This took place just after midnight when there was not much traffic around in a 20mph zone so because of the nature of the road it is not possible for the defendant to have been travelling at a vastly excessive speed.

The officer simply says ‘at some speed’ without offering an estimate. It is not quite the picture that has been painted,” added the lawyer.

“The defendant accepts he should not have been driving, but when asked to stop he did so immediately and was fully co-operative with the police from the beginning.

“The defendant is of good character and the irony is he played in a football match and had some drinks afterwards and then a meal on the night in question.

“He did not drink for a while and then took the decision to go home, which he accepts was a misjudged decision to drive, although it was a relatively short journey.

“You will see a true assessment of the character of this young man in the references, his positive good character,” said Mr Haslam.

The court heard Hurley earns £750 per week from his employment with an estate agent and a property-related business he started with friends.

“He will not lose his job, but there will be a very significant impact everyday on his working life. Each day he will be restricted from what he was able to do.

“He is going to suffer financially because of the restriction of the disqualification. His income will be reduced as he will not be able to work to his full ability.”

Hurley was fined £750, with £85 costs, ordered to pay a £300 victim surcharge and disqualified for twelve months.

“It is very disappointing to see you here, the first time you have been in court and hopefully the last,” magistrate Stephen Roberts told him.

“This was a stupid mistake. An expensive mistake.”

JAILED: Hit-And-Run Death Crash Cabbie Who Continued Collecting Fares

Court Arrival: Cheheb

A London black cab driver, who fled a fatal midnight hit-and-run, continued picking-up passengers in his damaged taxi as his victim lay dying in the road, a court heard yesterday.

Algerian-born Farid Cheheb, 60, had fatally injured Irish barman Shane Scannell, 44, who died in hospital four days later surrounded by his devastated family.

When sentenced to four months imprisonment the cabbie collapsed in the secure dock at Staines-upon-Thames Magistrates’ Court and was eventually taken away in an ambulance after nearly an hour of medical attention.

Cheheb, of Drummond Gardens, Epsom, Surrey pleaded guilty to failing to stop after a road accident in nearby South Street on May 21, 2023 and was also disqualified from driving for eight months.

He was not charged with a more serious offence after a forensic police investigation found no fault with his driving leading up to the tragedy.

Prosecutor Amanda Burrows told the court: “Very tragically it was the consequences of this defendant’s actions that led to the death of Shane Scannell.

“Mr Cheheb was driving his black London taxi in Epsom town centre, collecting a fare from the railway station around midnight and taking the customer to Pine Hill.

“After dropping off the passenger he was driving in South Street, Epsom when he collided with a pedestrian, Mr Scannell, who had left McCafferty’s public house at around midnight.”

The Tralee man - a keen Liverpool FC fan - worked at the pub and in her victim impact statement his sister, Jill Dawe said: “Emotionally, the impact of Shane’s death has devastated our family.”

“He was walking home and the investigating police officers considered a number of possible scenarios,” explained the prosecutor. “They concluded it was very unlikely he was upright and on two feet.

“Maybe he had fallen and was in the process of getting to his feet when the vehicle collided with the victim and left him with traumatic injuries.

“Very quickly after the collision members of the public became aware of Mr Scannell in the road and he was attended to fairly rapidly after the impact and taken to St. George’s Hospital, south-west London.

“Police made enquiries and traced the vehicle back to this defendant,” said Ms Burrows. “There was damage to the vehicle consistent with the accident and he was arrested and interviewed.

Tragedy: Shane Scannell

“He said he was aware of the impact and thought he had hit a deer or a fox, but this was not accepted by the officers because the visibility should have allowed him to see what he had collided with.”

Mrs Dawe continued: “On the night of May 21 my brother, who was walking home, was involved in an incident whereby he was struck by a moving vehicle and died.

“My brother suffered abhorrent injuries, which left him almost unrecognisable to his family.

“On the morning of May 21 at 2.30am I was woken by a police officer, who stated that my brother had been involved in an accident and they needed to take me via blue lights to St. George’s.

“On arrival at the hospital I was told that ultimately my brother was going to die and at any moment could suffer a cardiac arrest and would not be revived.

“He died after life support was removed surrounded by his immediate family.

“My mother lost her only son and I lost my only brother and my children lost their uncle.

“We are struggling to cope with his loss and we find ourselves constantly overwhelmed, anxious and depressed.

“Mentally the loss of my brother has taken a toll on us all and it is difficult to find purpose in our lives in the wake of the tragedy.

“We are struggling to find a way forward, sleep is disturbed, there are nightmares and we are struggling to cope with the emotional and mental challenges.”

Father-of-two Cheheb has been in the UK for thirty years and his wife works for the NHS, but he is no stranger to the courts with a 2009 offensive weapon conviction and one for assault in 2017.

His lawyer Suzy Wainscoat told the court: “Mr Cheheb accepts his responsibility for the tragic incident and extends his condolences to Mr Scannell’s family and expresses remorse and regret for his actions.

Court Departure: Cheheb

“It is not suggested he was at fault with the standard of his driving. He was not speeding, he was not using his electronic devices, which the police have checked.

“He was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol and he continued to work for a short period afterwards.

“Mr Scannell was not run over. He was at a low level to the ground, that is the police evidence.

“He is a well known and respected person in Epsom, doing the train station run for the last twenty years, but he has lost that through the gossip of the local taxi rank and lives with the guilt to this day.

“He has worked hard and led a decent life and contributes to the local community,” added Ms Wainscoat. “His actions were out of character, he is a responsible driver that takes pride in his work.

“He did not think clearly and maybe he was in shock at the time and tried to carry on as if nothing had happened.

“He recognises he is at significant risk of custody and has been effectively housebound since this accident and has not worked and led a rather reclusive life, staying at home.”

Cheheb’s official Hackney Carriage Licence, which allows him to work and drive a black cab has been suspended for ten years.

“His actions were through lack of thinking rather than a deliberate act of striking Mr Scannell and he hopes to return to driving eventually.

“Mr Cheheb did not feel he should have been driving due to the shock of this incident, but it is the only way of earning a living for his family and is his only skill.

“He has the respect of regular customers who would come to him by name until this incident.

“He would suffer mentally from custody and in their pre-sentence report the probation officer recommends longer rehabilitation.”

District Judge Julie Cooper told Cheheb the circumstances of the offence were so serious only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

“The police investigation shows you would have seen Mr Scannell in the road for ten metres. He was not upright, he may have tripped over or was bending down to pick something up, who knows?

Ambulance For Cheheb!

“When you knew you had hit something you should have stopped to see what it was, even if it was an animal which you are not required to stop for, but could have called the RSPCA.

“You did not know what you had hit, but it could always be a person. It would take just seconds to see what you had done, but you carried on and picked up two more fares.

“This accident left a man dying in the road to the horror of his family and knowing he was left in that state will weigh heavily on them.

“I cannot pass sentence today other than a custodial one and that must be immediate. I cannot suspend that sentence.

“I am aware of the impact of a custodial sentence on both yourself and your family  and I am also aware of the impact on the family of Mr Scannell.”

At this point Cheheb collapsed to the floor of the dock and remained breathing, but unresponsive for some time as police and custody staff attended to him.

“He has collapsed in the dock. We need an ambulance, call 999 straight away,” announced District Judge Cooper.

After the tragedy McCafferty’s announced: “To say that we are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Shane Scannell would probably be the understatement of the century.

“Shane was a friend to many of us here and a massive part of the McCafferty’s team. As many will agree, he was possibly the biggest Liverpool supporter known to mankind, always up for the craic and always with a smile.”