Footballer John Stones has been convicted of speeding and ordered to pay a court bill after he missed a police letter while away at the World Cup. The 32-year-old defender, who joined Inter Milan this summer, was caught driving his Range Rover at 43mph in a 30mph country lane near his Cheshire home in May.
Stones admitted being the driver when first contacted by Cheshire Police. However, he did not respond to a second letter that offered him the chance to pay a fixed penalty to keep the speeding offence out of court.
He was subsequently prosecuted and convicted in the Single Justice Procedure. A magistrate last week issued him four penalty points and ordered him to pay a £666 fine, £120 in costs, and a £266 victim surcharge.
In a letter to Warrington Magistrates Court, Stones explained the situation, stating he had been representing England at the World Cup and had not been home to see any post for almost four months. He added that he would not be able to be present as he no longer resides in the country.