Sunderland defender Bramble hit with 12-month driving ban

London, May 27 (ANI): Footballer Titus Bramble has been hit with a 12-month ban after jetting off on holiday when he was meant to be in court for over speeding.

The Premier League star, 29, nursing a knee injury in Los Angeles was hit with a 12-month ban in his absence.

District Judge Ian Lomax made it clear the Sunderland defender had tried his patience because the court date had been set "so that it didn't clash with football fixtures".

He added as he also ordered Bramble to pay 2,480 pounds: "He chose not to attend court, so his rights have not been denied, because he chose not to exercise those rights."

The player's BMW was clocked at 61mph on the M6 - a day after doing 57mph along the same temporary 50mph stretch.

Told that Bramble was on a foreign tour with his club, the judge said boss Steve Bruce or a club director should have sent a letter to the court in St Helens, Merseyside. (ANI)