Liverpool FC legend John Barnes has been banned from driving after he was caught speeding for the fourth time.
The former Reds winger broke temporary 50mph speed restrictions on the M56 eastbound on February 8 this year.
The 48-year-old, from Heswall, Wirral, did not attend a hearing at Warrington Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutors said his Vauxhall was caught by a speed camera travelling at 66mph in a 50mph stretch of the motorway.
The court heard the ex-England international had also been charged with failing to identify the driver of the vehicle, but this allegation was dropped.
Barnes pleaded guilty in his absence to speeding and was handed four penalty points.
John Barnes in action for Liverpool against Everton in 1991
He was banned from the road for six months under totting-up provisions, after the court heard there were three previous endorsements on his driving licence for speeding.
John Weate, defending Barnes, told magistrates it was around 5.40am and the ex-midfielder had been on his way to London to appear on a TV football show.
Mr Weate said: “He apologises and blames no-one but himself because of the prior endorsements on his record.
“He cannot with all conscious say it is going to cause him exceptional hardship so does not challenge the fact he is bound to be disqualified.”
Mr Weate said his client apologised for not being present at the hearing, explaining that he was working in South Africa and did not intend any disrespect to the court.
Magistrates fined Barnes £400 and ordered him to pay £100 court costs, along with a standard victim surcharge of £40.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/