Ex-Cobblers’ star Leon McKenzie ‘depressed’ when sending police bogus letters to avoid conviction
Leon McKenzzie
EX-COBBLERS’ footballer Leon McKenzie has been warned to prepare himself for a prison sentence for sending police a series of bogus letters to avoid repeated speeding convictions and the loss of his driving licence.
McKenzie, aged 33, who retired from professional football in December, was arrested and charged when false documents were sent in to Northamptonshire Police to dodge six speeding fines, between February 2008 and January 2010.
The letters, purporting to be from a fictional garage in London, claimed his car was off the road when he was caught speeding.
Claire Howell, prosecuting, at a hearing last year, said that each time he received a notice of intended prosecution, McKenzie sent back a letter stating mechanics were working on his car when it was said to have been flashed by speed cameras.
Arrested and questioned on suspicion of perverting the course of justice, the former Premiership player made a full confession on the understanding he would receive a caution. But six months later, he was summonsed to court to answer the charges again.
A mix-up between Dc Simon Coles and Sgt Gez Jackson resulted in McKenzie, of Rectory Farm, Northampton, being cautioned for the six offences without the case being referred to the Crown Prosecution Service, which is compulsory for all indictable (Crown court) offences.
During a protracted series of hearings and legal argument, Judge Richard Bray was asked to decide whether the caution should be quashed, allowing for McKenzie to be prosecuted. However, the caution was subsequently withdrawn by Northamptonshire Police.
At a hearing at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, the former striker, who played for Norwich, Northampton and Crystal Palace, pleaded guilty to the six charges, which relate to separate occasions over a two-year period when he sought to avoid a driving ban.
Andrew McGee, mitigating, said the case had a “tortured history”, adding: “It’s right to say the defendant was interviewed and made full admissions in August 2010, then cautioned only to find himself summonsed and the proceedings restarted six months later.
“He is very keen to bring these proceedings to an end.”
The court heard McKenzie, who played his last game for Kettering Town, committed the offences around the time he was suffering from depression,and is now working with the Professional Footballers’ Association helping others with the same condition.
Judge Richard Bray, who adjourned sentence until next month for reports, said: “By granting bail, that’s no indication of the likely sentence.
“This defendant is staring a custodial sentence right in the face because this was serious fraud in connection with driving matters which are of great concern to the public and cause considerable trouble to the police, namely trying to get away with repeated speeding offences by fraudulent means.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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