Razor Ruddock left gobsmacked by court hearing
Football legend Neil 'Razor' Ruddock was brought before a West Midland court accused of a driving offence - but the case collapsed when a prosecution witness failed to appear.
The former Liverpool defender said he was 'gobsmacked' after the case in Kidderminster was dismissed because a police witness did not know they had to turn up to court.
He had been accused of failing to give information about an alleged speeding offence in Droitwich in late 2013.
A Mercedes, allocated to 46-year-old Ruddock as a sponsored vehicle, was flashed by a speed camera, but he denies having been the driver.
At Kidderminster Magistrate's Court yesterday the case was dismissed after a prosecution witness failed to appear.
Prosecuting Miss Charlotte Gessey said the witness in question had not received the letter calling them to court.
She added there had been several cases this week of people not receiving the normal letter to say they were required to appear.
She sought an adjournment so the witness could give evidence at a later date but this was refused by the magistrates after Ruddock opposed the action.
Ruddock retired from professional football in 2003 with his last spell at Swindon Town.
Since then he has become a television personality alongside his career as an after-dinner speaker. In 2004 he appeared in the hit ITV show I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and even went on to record a charity single with fellow camp-mate Peter Andre.
Chairman of the Magistrates Bench, Mr John Chester, said: "My view is Mr Ruddock had to travel a long way today expecting a trial.
"That a witness is not here is through no fault of his own."
Mr Ruddock, who was representing himself, claimed he had never received any correspondence in relation to the alleged speeding offence.
Speaking outside the court, where he posed for pictures with fans, he said: "I never got the letter. The first I knew of all of this was when I received a letter telling me I was guilty of not giving information.
"I am gobsmacked and amazed. How ironic. I was trying to prove I didn't receive a letter and the police's own witness didn't receive their letter to be here at court today."
He added at the time of the incident he had been returning home to Kent from a charity event in Oswestry at which he had given an after-dinner speech.
With the case having been dismissed, Mr Ruddock requested mileage expenses for his journey to Kidderminster, which he was told would be considered.
