Ex-City ace cleared of motoring charge

CHARGES have been dropped against former Stoke City striker Ade Akinbiyi, who was stopped by police for driving a car with windows that were too dark.

The 34-year-old star was pulled up in Waterloo Road, Cobridge, in February this year.

It was later alleged that the nearside front window on his Audi Q7 allowed only 43.6 per cent of light through, instead of 70 per cent.

Akinbiyi, of Woodseaves, http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/mytownstafford">Stafford, did not attend North Staffordshire Magistrates Court yesterday when the charge against him was withdrawn, three months after the offence, as he has now put in a window that meets legal requirements.

Akinbiyi's agent Gary Mellor, of Beswicks Solicitors, based in Tunstall, said: "After the police stopped Ade, he got the matter rectified.

"It had been a case of getting the form to prove he's had the work done from his belongings that had been shipped across to the U.S.

"Once we got hold of the document, we sent it to the CPS and the case was dropped.

"It is a relief for Ade that the matter has been sorted out."

Staffordshire Police have been criticised for taking the matter straight to court instead of first issuing a 'rectification notice' to give Akinbiyi chance to change the window.

And after yesterday's hearing, Akinbiyi's solicitor, Peter Howland, said he could not understand why it had taken so long to sort the matter.

He said: "He should have been issued with a rectification notice when he was stopped by police.

"There have been at least four hearings because of a lot of to-ing and fro-ing by the CPS.

"But the charge has been dropped and the matter sorted out at last."

A police spokesman said the decision on how to deal with such a matter is down to the officer's discretion and depends on the circumstances of each individual case.

A CPS spokesman added: "The case against Mr Akinbiyi was reviewed in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. He agreed to rectify the defect alleged in his vehicle.

"The work was carried out and the proceedings were withdrawn since it was no longer considered in the public interest to prosecute him."

But motoring experts have accused the police of wasting court time.

Paul Biggs, Staffordshire co-ordinator for the Association of British Drivers, said: "The police shouldn't be wasting too much time on things like tinted windows.

"It's been a waste of court time and money. A rectification notice should have been issued, not a summons."

Paul Watters, head of policy for the AA, said: "The police are on the lookout for this type of offence. Any reduced visibility, especially at night, is going to reduce the likelihood of a driver spotting a potential hazard.

"Tinted windows and windscreens are not uncommon.

"The issue is usually dealt with by way of a rectification notice, but it depends on the individual case."

Akinbiyi completed a transfer from Burnley to Major League Soccer side Houston Dynamo in March.

He joined Stoke on loan from Crystal Palace in 2003 and helped the Potters escape relegation to League One in Tony Pulis's first season at the Britannia.

His move was later made permanent, but he left for Burnley in February 2005 on a free transfer.