Footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips avoids prison for driving offence claiming he didn't know he was banned... because he doesn’t open his own POST

• The QPR winger received a ban for doing nearly 80mph in a 50mph zone
• He continued to drive his luxury Bentley unaware of the court order
• Met Police caught up with the former England star at QPR's training ground
• He was charged with driving while banned and appeared in court yesterday
  

By Stuart Woledge

Published: 03:37 EST, 8 August 2013 | Updated: 05:50 EST, 8 August 2013

Banned: Wright-Phillips claims he did not know about the driving ban as he doesn't open his post - his agent does

Millionaire footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips avoided jail yesterday for driving while banned because he was 'blissfully unaware' his licence had been revoked.

The former England star told ­Uxbridge Magistrates' Court he was unaware he should not have been on the road, and claimed he had not seen the legal papers banning him from driving because they had been sent to his agent's address.

The winger, who plays for QPR, had missed a string of court summons after his £200,000 Bentley was clocked doing 79mph on a 50mph stretch at Esher in Surrey, on March 28 last year.

The 31-year-old's luxury car was registered at his agent's address in Luton, Bedfordshire, which is where the important document informing him about his disqualification, was sent.

Several reminders were issued, including one to the former Manchester City and Chelsea star's home in Surrey, but Wright-Phillips claimed in court yesterday he had not seen any of them.

He was finally banned from driving in his absence in December.

Then, on January 21 this year, Met Police officers arrested Wright-Phillips at QPR's training ground in Harlington, West London, after spotting his insurance had been invalidated during a routine check.

He was charged with driving while banned and driving without insurance. At his trial yesterday, he admitted to both offences.

Defending Wright-Phillips, his lawyer Gwyn Lewis argued he should escape a further ban or jail as he was ­'blissfully unaware' of the papers.

Mr Lewis, dubbed Merlin the Magician for his ability to make 'many worrying cases disappear', said: 'We will be making a special reasons argument that the defendant shouldn’t be endorsed with points, a ban or jail, which would normally be the case.'

Speedster: Wright-Phillips has played for West London QPR since 2011 following his move from Manchester City

Magistrates accepted his case and fined the player £800 and ordered him to pay £85 costs with an £80 surcharge for the first charge of driving while banned.

The bench accepted he 'would not have expected to receive the mail'.

Wright-Phillips, who was banned for speeding in 2004 by Crewe magistrates, told the court: 'From now on I will definitely open the mail even if it is junk.'

He left court without commenting.

Football star: The winger has a previous conviction for speeding dating back to 2004. He is pictured here in action last season against Aston Villa

Heyday: Shaun Wright-Phillips used to be a regular in the England squad, pictured here shortly before the 2010 World Cup