But the player was today found not guilty of speeding on the A34 in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England last March.

His solicitor Nick Freeman told Macclesfield Magistrates that although the speed gun was Home Office approved, there was no evidence the police had followed certain conditions of approval.

Speaking after the two-and-a-half hour trial, Mr Freeman said: ‘‘The police measured the speed with a laser gun.

‘‘I argued that whilst the Crown proved the device had Home Office approval, there was no evidence that the conditions of approval had been complied with.

‘‘It is a technicality of the law. A measurement made by a proscribed device is not admissible unless any conditions subject to which approval is given are followed.’’

Mr Freeman did not specify the exact conditions which the police were unable to prove they followed.

Yorke was not present at court for the verdict but Mr Freeman added: ‘‘I am sure he will be very pleased.’’

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police declined to comment on the verdict.

Mr Freeman has successfully defended Yorke’s Manchester United team mate David Beckham for allegedly speeding on the same stretch of road, arguing the England captain was trying to evade photographers.

He also represented Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson when he escaped a conviction for driving along a motorway hard shoulder during a traffic jam, claiming an upset stomach had made him desperate to use the toilet.