Footballer denies speeding on 30mph dual carriageway

CELTIC footballer Aiden McGeady has appeared in court accused of speeding on a dual carriageway.

The 23-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder denied the charge yesterday at Glasgow Sheriff Court, where he was accused of driving at 54mph in a 30mph zone on 15 February. Constable Alexander Smith told the court that at about 3:30pm, while using a speed gun, he spotted McGeady's 4x4 Audi Q7 travelling "well in excess of 30mph".

PC Smith was using the device with a colleague, Inspector Kenny Welsh.

PC Smith said: "The car appeared to be accelerating from the bottom of the hill right up to our position.

"Other vehicles on the road were a good distance behind the vehicle, maybe about 200 to 300 metres behind."

Defence lawyer Terry Gallanagh put it to PC Smith that he was not present when the gun was calibrated and had simply checked an expiration date which had been stamped on it, and he replied: "Yes, that's correct."

Mr Gallanagh also asked the officer if he had measured the distance himself before checking the gun's measurement, and he replied: "No, that's carried out by crash scene investigators."

The trial, before Justice of the Peace Eunice Paton, will continue next month.