http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/italy-bound-carlos-tevez-risking-jail-4729016
Italy-bound Tevez risking jail sentence due to court bid to write-off community service
The M.E.N. understands a ‘substantial’ amount of the 250 hours unpaid work he was ordered to carry out following a string of driving offences remains unfinished
Carlos Tevez is set to launch a court bid to throw out his community service punishment after leaving City to sign for Italian side Juventus.
The M.E.N. understands a ‘substantial’ amount of the 250 hours unpaid work he was ordered to carry out following a string of driving offences remains unfinished.
Probation Service bosses have already warned that a warrant for Tevez's arrest could be issued if he fails to show for his next appointment. His legal team are now seeking a re-sentencing hearing that could even see the 29-year-old jailed.
Tevez was banned from driving for six months and given the community service punishment in April after he admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance.
A source close to the Argentinian said: “It is a bit of a situation. We are going to have to go back to court to review the order that was made and look for a re-sentence.”
Juventus return to training on July 12 and the maximum number of hours of community work that can be carried out in a week is 35. It is thought his lawyers will argue that the change of circumstances was not of his own doing and will seek a reduced or alternate penalty. Celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman, who specialises in motoring cases, believes a suspended prison sentence would be the likeliest outcome.
He said: “Up until recently, driving while disqualified was likely to result in a prison sentence.
“I do not think the magistrates would issue a fine because that is too light a punishment. I would say that a prison sentence will be handed down but that will be suspended because of the unusual circumstances.
“I don't think Mr Tevez designed the move to avoid completing his community punishment order.”
Tevez, said to have been earning more than £250,000 a week while playing for City, was caught by police after an anonymous tip off. He was pulled over leaving a Cheshire golf club behind the wheel of a Porsche Cayenne while serving a road ban on March 7.
Tevez listened to proceedings from the dock with the aid of an interpreter, who translated proceedings into Spanish.
He was told that he would have to complete the community service punishment within 12 months or he would be banned from driving for another six months.
The court heard Tevez had suffered a ‘frightening’ experience and had a ‘salutary lesson’ after being taken into custody and arrested by police.
Tevez’s original ban, in January, came after a court heard he ignored police letters because he did not understand the word ‘constabulary
