Warrant issued for Irvine's arrest
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine after he was caught speeding on a scooter with no licence and no insurance, court officials confirmed today.
The 38-year-old, whose address was given as Conlig, Newtownards, Northern Ireland, was arrested by police in London on July 24 this year for driving at over 30mph on a scooter through the city’s Hyde Park, with no scooter licence and no insurance.
The former Jordan and Ferrari racing driver, who won four Grand Prix in Formula One, was charged with excess speed, no insurance and driving otherwise in accordance with licence.
The facts were proved in his absence at a court hearing last month and he was due to appear before Bow Street Magistrates yesterday for sentencing but failed to attend.
When the court heard there was no contact from the racing driver a warrant with bail was issued for his arrest.
Theo Moore, a spokesman for the Royal Parks Constabulary, said that Irvine was caught on a laser camera speeding in excess of 30mph on South Carriage Drive in the park.
He was then stopped by Royal Parks Constabulary officers who found him to be without a driving licence or insurance at that time, Mr Moore added.
He was due to surrender these documents within a set time at a police station of his convenience but police have no record of it happening.
“Speeding in the royal parks is closely monitored and law enforced and it’s not a sensible place to be exceeding the speed limit,” Mr Moore said.
It is thought that Irvine was speeding in excess of 50mph in the 30mph zone. He was found guilty in his absence on November 12 and police are now awaiting the compulsory surrender of his documents, court officials said.
The enforcement of the warrant is now in the hands of the court services and Charing Cross police station.
