Andrew Flintoff escapes driving ban for speeding after arguing "exceptional hardship"

Flintoff recently made a comeback for Lancashire after a gap of 5 years

Former England captain Andrew Flintoff has eluded punishment for speeding after admitting to driving at 87mph, near Linstock in Cumbria, in his Bentley on the M6 last January. His solicitor, Michael Neofytou, prevented Flintoff from getting a driving ban by telling the Carlisle Magistrates' Court that a ban would adversely affect the privacy of his 3 children and also those who rely on Flintoff’s considerable charity work.

The magistrate accepted the reasoning of the solicitor and has allowed him to continue driving, but the 36-year old, who is guilty of his 4th offence in the last 3 years, has been issued a further three speeding points on his license and fined £330.

Flintoff, who recently made a cricketing comeback for Lancashire in the Natwest T20 Blast, has been warned that he would not be able to again use the excuse of "exceptional hardship" if he is found guilty of speeding at any time in the next 3 years.

In Flintoff’s defense, Mr. Neofytou also told the court that a ban would severely affect his TV work. Flintoff is due to be filming a TV show on Friday in Northern Ireland - a road trip where he drives a fish and chips van powered by the van's cooking fat.

Flintoff was "constantly raising money, or trying to, when not in his professional role", he said.

He added that the England all-rounder, himself, drives to charity speaking arrangements, cricket matches and auctions of cricket memorabilia.

After retiring for 20 minutes to consider the sentence, David Johnson, chair of the bench, said: "Because of your position, the fact that you are well known, clearly the impact has to be on others, more than you yourself."