Footballer Harry Maguire, known for his role with Manchester United and the England national team, was handed a 56-day driving ban after admitting to speeding at 85 mph in a 50 mph zone.
This incident took place on Wilmslow Road near Manchester Airport, the same road where Cristiano Ronaldo famously crashed a Ferrari in 2009.
The Court’s Ruling and Fines
Maguire, 31, did not appear at Bolton Magistrates’ Court where he was also fined £666 and required to pay £386 in costs and a court surcharge.
The case was related to an offence on March 5 last year, when Maguire was caught speeding by a camera on Wilmslow Road.
This was the first of two speeding offenses in a short period, with the second occurring just days later in his hometown of Sheffield, where he was clocked driving at 68 mph in a 60 mph zone.
Connection to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009 Incident
The location of Maguire’s speeding offense holds historical significance due to a 2009 incident involving Cristiano Ronaldo.
At the time, Ronaldo, then a Manchester United player, crashed his £200,000 Ferrari on the same road, although he miraculously walked away unscathed.
A witness described the scene, noting that Ronaldo appeared shaken but was otherwise fine, though his car was totaled.
Maguire’s Defence and the Penalty Points Issue
Maguire’s lawyer, Gwyn Lewis, explained that Maguire was unaware of the speed camera capture on March 5.
He had also been unaware of the potential for a driving disqualification when he was later stopped for speeding in Sheffield.
Maguire had already accumulated three penalty points for a previous offense in 2021.
At one point, due to a time gap in the penalty points from multiple offenses, Maguire faced the possibility of 12 points, which could have resulted in a six-month driving ban.
Lewis further explained that Maguire was unable to attend a speed awareness course for the Sheffield offense because he was abroad at the time, which contributed to the additional penalty points.
He requested that the magistrates impose a shorter ban, citing Maguire’s absence during the course availability, as well as the complexity of the case.
The Magistrates’ Decision
The bench, after carefully considering the circumstances, opted to exercise discretion in Maguire’s case.
They acknowledged that Maguire had not been able to attend the speed awareness course due to his travel schedule and determined that a 56-day ban would be a reasonable alternative to the six-month disqualification.
Maguire was also required to pay £666 in fines, £266 in costs, and a £120 surcharge.
A Complicated Case for the Public Figure
Maguire’s solicitor highlighted that the football star was a public figure, and while he acknowledged driving too fast in his £200,000 Range Rover, he emphasized the complexity of the case.
The road in question, which briefly runs under the runways at Manchester Airport, is a dual carriageway.
Maguire was caught speeding shortly after emerging from a tunnel, which complicated the assessment of the situation.
The Aftermath of the 2009 Ronaldo Crash
While Ronaldo’s crash on Wilmslow Road occurred years ago, it remains a part of the road’s history.
The incident involved Ronaldo’s Ferrari, which was imported from Portugal only days before the crash. Fortunately, he was not injured, but the car was significantly damaged.
The event was witnessed by bystanders, including Jody Lomax, who recalled the moment when the Ferrari crashed into the wall, causing the front left wheel to come off.
Despite the severity of the crash, Ronaldo was able to walk away, though visibly shaken.
In the end, Maguire’s case highlights the consequences of speeding, even for high-profile individuals, and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with driving too fast.