Star escapes lengthy ban

SPEEDY footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips escaped a potential six-month driving ban at Oldham Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The Queens Park Rangers winger pleaded guilty to driving his Aston Martin at 50mph in a 30mph zone in Manchester on November 11, 2011. The court heard how Mr Wright-Phillips (29), of Shere Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, has accumulated 12 points on his licence within a three-year period, which means the driver is liable to be disqualified under the totting-up process.

But the former Manchester City star — who joined QPR in August, 2011, and was not in court to hear his case — was banned for only seven days with a fine of £300.

His solicitor revealed the original correspondence went to one of the footballer’s other addresses and the mail had not been transferred to him.