Ex-cricketer fined for driving with mobile

A former international cricketer who lives in the Black Country has been fined for using his mobile phone while driving.

West Indies and Worcestershire cricketer Ron Headley was spotted by police using the phone when driving his Ford Escort in Worcester, magistrates heard.

Headley, aged 70, was stopped by officers, in Castle Street, and issued with a fixed penalty notice for the incident on May 7.

But the defendant claimed his penalty notice form from officers was wrongly dated stating the incident had taken place on June 7.

Headley claimed he tried to pay the fine at the police station but the wrongly dated form would not be accepted by officers.

Headley, of The Broadway, Stourbridge, pleaded guilty to one charge of using a handheld mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle on a road yesterday.

Another charge of driving without insurance was dropped by the prosecution at the hearing at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Chairman of the bench Ray Meedham fined Headley £60, endorsed his licence with three penalty points and ordered him to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Mr Liam Finch, prosecuting, said: "Officers saw that he was driving and there was a mobile phone to his left hand ear so they turned their vehicle around and caused him to stop.

"When they spoke to Mr Headley he said 'yes, it was just ringing'." Mr Finch added Headley had a speeding conviction dated back to December 2006.

Headley, not represented, said: "It has dragged on for nine months and has been absolutely horrendous. It is unfortunate that it has happened because it's been like a bad dream and I have nothing else to say."

Headley played in two Test matches and one one day international in 1973 and also played for around 16 years for Worcestershire County Cricket Club. His father was George Headley, who played 22 Tests for West Indies, and his son Dean Headley played 15 Tests and 13 one day internationals for England.