Damien Duff hits 101 in 70mph zone

[Besty 4]

Damien Duff hits 101 in 70mph zone

Feb 13 2008 by Peter Taylor, Evening Chronicle

 

TOON ace Damien Duff is facing a driving ban after being caught smashing a speed limit.

 

The winger was clocked at 101.2mph in his Range Rover on a 70mph stretch of the A19 at Cramlington.

 

Solicitors acting on his behalf entered a guilty plea to the charge when the case came before South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court.

 

Now JPs have ordered the 28-year-old Irish star to come before the court to face his sentence.

 

The case comes after Duff twice escaped prosecution, despite vehicles belonging to him being caught on camera breaking speed limits.

 

Today road safety groups slammed the winger’s actions and called for JPs to impose a strict sentence on him.

 

Jeremy Forsberg of the Northumbria Safer Roads Initiative said: “This is a serious offence and travelling at that speed is extremely dangerous.

 

“He is a role model for a lot of people and it is so ludicrous to be driving at this speed. I just hope the punishment fits the crime.

 

“Road safety groups work tirelessly to change people’s attitudes towards the way they drive and this behaviour undermines all the work these people do.”

 

Duff’s 4x4 was followed for around a half a mile on the A19 approach to the Moor Farm roundabout by an unmarked police patrol car on August 4.

 

He was pulled over after the excessive speed was clocked by the officer, who served him with a notice outlining Northumbria Police’s intention to bring him to court.

 

Duff’s latest speed-related court case comes after he has twice escaped prosecution for alleged speeding-related offences.

 

He was recently due to appear before Hexham Magistrates’ Court on a charge of failing to supply information to the chief officer of police.

 

But his solicitors were able to provide proof of postage which they said showed Duff responded to police requests.

 

The force denied receiving the correspondence from the 28-year-old. However, because the mail was not sent by registered delivery, it is impossible to tell whether it was lost or mislaid and magistrates dropped the case.

 

The charge was brought after Duff’s Mini Cooper was clocked apparently doing 86mph on a 50mph stretch of the A1 at Seaton Burn.

 

In October last year he escaped prosecution in the same courtroom following an incident in which his Range Rover was clocked apparently doing 102mph on the A1, again at Seaton Burn.

 

Police asked the Republic of Ireland international, of Tranwell Woods, Morpeth, to confirm who was behind the wheel.

 

But when the police said they did not receive a response, they took him to court to answer a charge of failing to supply information to the chief officer of police.

 

Duff was convicted of the offence in September and was hit with a £100 fine and three penalty points.

 

But at a fresh hearing a month later it was revealed the £5m midfielder had provided proof he sent a reply to Northumbria Police.

 

The prosecution applied for the case to be withdrawn, saying correspondence had been received from Duff which included a certificate of postage, which showed Duff responded to police requests.

 

Mr Forsberg added: “His vehicles have now been involved in three cases and all have been dangerous incidents.

 

“It can only be 100% proved he was driving in this latest case but, in relation to all of them, anyone travelling at such speeds is putting the lives of themselves and other road users at serious risk.”

 

In the latest case, because Duff was stopped by a patrol car, he was serviced a notice of intended prosecution in person.

 

The Cheshire-based firm of solicitors representing him confirmed to the Chronicle he had pleaded guilty at a hearing before magistrates at Bedlington on February 1.

 

Lorna Jackson, of charity Brake, said: “There can be no excuse for exceeding the speed limit by this amount.

 

“As a role model, he does have that additional responsibility that people will look up to them and look at the way they behave and think it is acceptable.

 

“Clearly, putting lives at risk in this way is not acceptable. We repeatedly hear it is not footballers’ faults they get paid so much and can afford these cars – but if that is the case, they need to act in a responsible manner.”

[Guest BigThompers]

And? On quiet motorways I think it's pretty normal behaviour.

[luckyluke 2]

He wasn't on the motorway.

[Toonpack 10528]

He would have got away with it but he was tackled by a roundabout

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Wor lass has just been nabbed doing 42 in a 30.....naughty girl

[snakehips 0]

SHOCK!!!11111 Bloke with fast car breaks speed limit.

 

Move on, nowt to see here.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

Think I might have been caught this morning of one of those camera vans. I wasn't doing 101mph though.

[Matty 0]

Think I might have been caught this morning of one of those camera vans. I wasn't doing 101mph though.

 

 

And you're not Damien Duff... so the chances of the story making the press are minimal.

[Albert Kirkey 0]

The Police should definitely go round to his and pick the forms up personally this time.

[Brock Manson 0]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

[Greg 6]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

[Guest BigThompers]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

[Jusoda Kid 1]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

 

 

My mate had a V8 one, was like shit off a stick tbh and this was a long time ago, f reg I think. Done 100mph with a caravan on the back no problem.

[Guest BigThompers]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

 

 

My mate had a V8 one, was like shit off a stick tbh and this was a long time ago, f reg I think. Done 100mph with a caravan on the back no problem.

 

Fuck off. They are designed for pulling things. Having a caravan on the back will barely handicap it, but with or without it, they will never be "shit off the stick".

[Greg 6]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

 

 

My mate had a V8 one, was like shit off a stick tbh and this was a long time ago, f reg I think. Done 100mph with a caravan on the back no problem.

 

Fuck off. They are designed for pulling things. Having a caravan on the back will barely handicap it, but with or without it, they will never be "shit off the stick".

 

0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, pretty quick for such a big thing!

Edited February 14, 2008 by Greg

[Jusoda Kid 1]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

 

 

My mate had a V8 one, was like shit off a stick tbh and this was a long time ago, f reg I think. Done 100mph with a caravan on the back no problem.

 

Fuck off. They are designed for pulling things. Having a caravan on the back will barely handicap it, but with or without it, they will never be "shit off the stick".

 

 

See the post above fuckwit, it wasn't in the same bracket as a Cosworth but for the size of the fucka it was faster than most cars on the road

Edited February 15, 2008 by Wacky Jnr

[Guest BigThompers]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

 

 

My mate had a V8 one, was like shit off a stick tbh and this was a long time ago, f reg I think. Done 100mph with a caravan on the back no problem.

 

Fuck off. They are designed for pulling things. Having a caravan on the back will barely handicap it, but with or without it, they will never be "shit off the stick".

 

 

See the post above fuckwit, it wasn't in the same bracket as a Cosworth but for the size of the fucka it was faster than most cars on the road

 

I don't give a shit. "Shit off the stick" is a massive exaggeration, fuckwit.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Fuck off 'Rev Head'

[bawan 0]

In a Range Rover? Not bad!

 

Not bad? A top of the range Range Rover can hit 140 mph.

 

Wow. Take about a 15 mile stretch of clear road to hit that speed too I imagine. My car will do 140 in 4th gear

What do you drive, a reliant robin ?

[Guest BigThompers]

Fuck off 'Rev Head'

 

I'm not a rev head, I just think that an average 0-60 time doesn't qualify as "shit off the stick". Especially considering the fact that it's packing a V8. Big, heavy and relatively quick, not shit off the stick.