Cole avoids ban from roads as court hears wife 'too traumatised to drive'

Carly Zucker has been left unable to get back behind the wheel after she was the victim of a carjacking outside her Chelsea home, Staines Magistrates' Court in south-west London was told.

Police are still hunting for the black Audi A4 which was stolen almost a fortnight ago, said Cole's lawyer Nick Freeman.

Chairman of the bench John Neary agreed to suspend a 50-day ban and 750 fine while Mr Freeman launches an appeal. The player did not appear in court. Mr Freeman told the court: "His wife was outside their house in London when she was carjacked by eight thugs who were on motorbikes. She was physically removed from the car.

"The car was stolen and it has not yet been recovered. She is 26 and has been severely traumatised to the extent that she has not driven a car since."

The situation was "compounded" by the fact that Cole and his wife had moved up to Merseyside since his summer switch from Chelsea to Liverpool FC.

Mrs Zucker and her five-month-old baby would not be able to use public transport if Cole was banned because of their "profile", the lawyer added.

Cole's driving licence and documents were in the glove compartment of the stolen car, Mr Freeman added.

Cole was driving his wife's A4 when a police officer spotted him breaking the 70mph limit in November last year.

He was told he must pay 600 costs in addition to the fine.