Former Arsenal and Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant has appeared in court and received a six-month conditional discharge after driving without insurance. The 43-year-old avoided a driving ban, with a judge ruling there were special reasons not to disqualify him.
Pennant was stopped by police on 2 September 2025, driving his Audi A5 S Line on the A406 eastbound. He told Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday that his insurance had expired the day before and he was shopping for a new policy when his partner, who had broken her foot, called for a lift.
He stated he purchased one-day insurance 10 minutes before being pulled over, but did not realise it would not take effect immediately. Prosecutor Deborah Kol noted that body-worn camera footage appeared to show him purchasing insurance in the car, though Pennant insisted he was trying to open the app to show officers his cover.
District Judge Vanessa Lloyd ruled that Pennant would not have points added to his licence, based on him being "misled" by his insurance app and believing the policy would activate immediately. The conditional discharge means he will not be fined but was ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge.