David Beckham is one of the famous people who used Nick Freeman
Nick Freeman, a millionaire lawyer who is also known as Mr Loophole, has the remarkable ability to make celebrities pay for driving offenses with extraordinary technicalities or explanations.
MailOnline highlights some of his most notable clients and cases.
Jimmy Carr
In 2009, the comedian — who has been represented by Freeman in three separate driving charges — was alleged to have used a mobile phone while driving his Bentley through Harrow, North-West London. Carr was cleared after Freeman argued Carr was not making a telephone call. In reality, he was using his iPhone for joke purposes and it is legal to dictate into a telephone.
Colin Montgomerie
Another three-time client of Freeman’s, the heavyweight golfer escaped a possible 56-day ban in June 2010, having been fined £60 for driving his £115,000 Bentley Continental Flying Spur at 70mph in a 40mph zone of the A3 in South-West London, then failing to pay the penalty on time. Freeman convinced the court that Monty could continue driving the way the golfer was. scared of flying and is thus obliged to drive from his home in Scotland to Surrey just to see his and ex-wife Eimear’s three children.
Ronnie O’Sullivan
Freeman successfully represented O’Sullivan in a snooker match. O’Sullivan was charged with failing to give police a sample of his urine when he was suspected of drinking driving. Freeman suggested that the trial be stopped as the magistrate laughed at a reporter. To which, the magistrate answered: “Does this mean I am gay?” The solicitor also argued that O’Sullivan could not provide a sample because his well-known depressive disorder meant that he was too stressed to pee.
David Beckham
In 1999, Becks was given an eight-month ban, having been caught driving his £150,000 Ferrari at 76mph in a 50mph zone in Wilmslow, Cheshire. Freeman appealed successfully, saying that Becks had been chased ten miles by paparazzi from his Alderley Edge residence.
Andrew Flintoff, after being acquitted for speeding, is seen leaving the courthouse
Sir Alex Ferguson
Beckham’s manager in 1999 had reason to thank Freeman for his services. He was caught driving on the shoulder of the motorway, thereby avoiding traffic jams. Freeman successfully claimed that Fergie did so because he was suffering from stomach problems, was afraid he would be stopped and was trying desperately to reach the bathroom at Manchester United’s training grounds.
Jeremy Clarkson
The Top Gear host captured an Alfa Romeo being driven at 82mph by Ruislip in West London’s 50mph zone. Freeman got the case overturned in just minutes. Freeman claimed that Alfa Romeo issued the ticket to Clarkson and passed the tickets on because Clarkson had borrowed the car. But all Alfa knew was that Clarkson had borrowed the car — they had no proof he’d been driving it.
Andrew Flintoff
England’s cricketer, James Anderson, was accused of driving at speeds exceeding 87 mph within a 50 mph zone along the M62. Liverpool Magistrates Court dismissed the case against him in less than one minute. Freeman stated that Flintoff was too slow to issue the prosecution notice, which Flintoff received 16 days following the alleged offense. However, the law states it must be done within fourteen days.
Joe Cole
England’s footballer Joe Cole was caught speeding at 105 mph along the A3 in Surrey. He was given an immediate six-month suspension. Freeman had the punishment cut to a £750 fine and a 50-day ban, which was immediately suspended when Freeman said that he would appeal the verdict, arguing that Cole had to be able to drive, since his wife Carly Zucker had been traumatised by a recent carjacking, could no longer drive herself and was, yes, too famous to use public transport.
Caprice Bourret is seen leaving the courtroom with Nick Freeman, 2006
Ian Brown
Stone Roses’ singer, Mick Jagger, was recorded speeding at 105mph on his Lexus M6 in October 2011. He was fined £650 and given six penalty points, but escaped a ban thanks to Freeman’s explanation that Brown needed his car because it was the only way of getting to the top-secret location where the Stone Roses were rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts.
AND THE ONE THAT FLEW AWAY…
Caprice Bourret
Former supermodel Caprice was banned from driving for 12 months. Freeman attempted to persuade the court that Caprice had never been drinking. Freeman claimed that Caprice was taking drugs to treat a urinary tract infection. This had caused her “alcohol-halitosis”, giving the false impression she had been drinking.