Arsenal star Andre Santos in 140mph police chase 'was late for training'

 
File photo dated 08/04/12 Clarindo Andre Santos of Arsenal from Sao Paulo in Brazil, who has been charged with dangerous driving, Scotland Yard said today.
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27 September 2012
WEST END FINAL

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Arsenal footballer Andre Santos was banned from driving for 12 months today after admitting speeding away from chasing police at up to 140 miles per hour because he was late for training.

The 29-year-old Brazilian international weaved in and out of rush-hour traffic on the A1 dual carriageway and M25 motorway in his £110,000 Maserati GranTurismo supercar on August 17 as he travelled to the club's Colney training ground.

Santos repeatedly failed to stop despite being chased "for some considerable time" by a marked police car with sirens and blue flashing lights, magistrates were told.

When he was eventually arrested yards from the training ground in Hertfordshire he told officers his blaring music had prevented him spotting them.

Santos, who wore a navy suit and dark tie, denied a charge of dangerous driving but admitted the lesser charge of driving without due care and attention when he appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court today (Thursday). The more serious dangerous driving charge was subsequently dropped.

Magistrates banned him from the roads for 12 months and fined him £3,600 after ruling that he "prioritised his own journey over his duty to drive in a safe manner."

Inder Gohlar, prosecuting, told the court the fotballer was spotted on the A1 "accelerating hard" away from a speed camera.

Police driver PC Chris Hurt put on his sirens and sped up to 120 mph to try and catch up to Santos who was travelling in the region of 140 mph.

Police officers eventually caught up with him close to Arsenal's training ground and shouted through the window for him to stop.

He was arrested and taken to a police station where he told officers he had been in a rush to get to training and did not realise they were following him.

In a statement, he said: "My music was very loud and I was not paying attention.I very much regret driving in this way and I apologise to the police for the trouble I've caused."

The court heard Arsenal Football Club will punish the player, but he was supported in the dock by a club interpreter.

A statement was read from Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in which he described Santos as "friendly, considerate and helpful," and a player who "contributes to the life of the club and undertakes charitable work within the community on behalf of the club."

Alexandra Ward, in mitgation, told the court Santos was "embarrassed and ashamed" to be before the courts.

Santos, who joined the Gunners last year from Turkish side Fenerbahce, was arrested on the eve of the Premier League season as Arsenal prepared for their opening game against Sunderland at the Emirates stadium.

Speaking outside court, Santos’ solicitor David Sleight said: “Mr Santos would like to apologise for the careless driving that led to his court case today.

“He has learned a tough lesson and accepts the sentence that the court has passed.

“He is truly sorry and disappointed to let himself and Arsenal Football Club down in this way.”

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