Former Premiership ace Shaun Newton was today convicted of nine counts of perverting the course of justice today. He escaped custody recieving a 6 month suspended sentence together with a 12 month driving ban, 180hrs community service and billed for over £4000 in costs. His request for his community service to be spent coaching young players was denied by the court.

Newton, formerly of West Ham and Charlton FCs, had falsified seven speeding tickets saying someone else had been driving.

He also had provided this service for two other players, namely Teddy Sheringham and Bobby Zamora, both of whom recieved police cautions for their part in the enterprise.