Sunderland striker Bendtner banned from driving for 56 days for over speeding

London - Sunderland striker Nicklas Bendtner has been banned for 56 days from driving and fined 660 pounds after he confessed speeding at 104 mph in his Porsche.

The Danish striker was late for a flight at Newcastle Airport when he was caught by a Northumbria Police traffic officer on the A696 dual carriageway, which has a 70 mph limit, last December.

The striker is on loan at Sunderland for a year from his parent club Arsenal, did not appear before Newcastle magistrates for the hearing.
 
The court was informed Bendtner was in Denmark for contractual obligations. He was deemed to not be absent from court because he was legally represented at the hearing.

Barry Warburton, Bendtner's defender said the striker was in a hurry and that is why he decided to increase the speed, The Daily Mail reports.

Warburton said: "I understand he was going to Newcastle Airport, he was slightly late for a flight and unfortunately he speeded. It was a Saturday morning, there was very little traffic on the road and weather conditions were fine."
 
"Not withstanding the fact he is in Denmark, he has been absolutely no trouble to anybody. In my respectful submission, your public duty can be discharged by treating him with leniency," he added.

Chairman of the bench Edward Wardrobe imposed a 56-day driving ban, and fined the footballer 660 pounds, plus 30 pound costs and a 15 pound victim surcharge.