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      Suspect wanted over £300,000 armed raid on England star Raheem Sterling’s home is on the run in Albania

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      A SUSPECT wanted over the £300,000 armed raid on England star Raheem Sterling’s home is on the run in Albania.Records show Henri Osmani, 44, entered his homeland on July 18.
      A suspect wanted over the £300,000 armed raid on England star Raheem Sterling’s home is on the run in AlbaniaCredit: Getty
      Records show Henri Osmani entered his homeland on July 18Credit: PA
      Cops there have joined forces with Surrey Police to find the fugitive.
      Interior minister Taulant Balla told The Sun yesterday: “No Albanian involved in crimes in the UK should think our country is a hiding place.”
      Albanians Alfred Isufi, 48, and Gerard Kalaja, 22, are on the run outside their home nation.
      A fourth man is due to face trial next year.
      Read More on Football
      The group are linked to 33 raids in Surrey, Essex, Kent and Herts, said to have netted £1million.
      Sterling briefly flew back from the World Cup after December’s robbery. More

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      Major update on Marcus Rashford car crash as cops say they won’t investigate horror Rolls-Royce smash any further

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      COPS have said they won’t investigate Marcus Rashford’s horror car crash any further.The Man United striker, 25, was at the wheel of his Rolls-Royce when it collided with a car being driven by a gran, 74, on Saturday night.
      Cops say they won’t investigate Marcus Rashford’s horror car crash any furtherCredit: Getty
      His Rolls-Royce collided with a car being driven by a gran
      Rashford had just left United’s training ground in Carrington on his way home from his side’s 1-0 Premier League win at Burnley.
      The collision sent his 2.5-ton vehicle, which has a top speed of 155mph, into a traffic light camera post.
      Greater Manchester Police said it is not investigating the accident further after deeming it a “non-serious road traffic accident”.
      It has now been left for insurers to sort out rather than the police.
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      Cops made no arrests after breathalysing both drivers and did not call an ambulance as the female driver did not want to go to hospital.
      Club captain Bruno Fernandes soon arrived after the smash and checked on both his team-mate and the pensioner.
      United’s club doctor checked over Rashford and offered medical aid to the gran-of-five.
      Club officials paid for a taxi to take her 15 miles home.
      Most read in Football
      A source told The Sun: “Both drivers were badly shaken.
      “Marcus immediately checked to see if the woman was okay and swapped details.”
      Rashford later posted on Instagram: “3 points on the road! I’m alright guys thanks for the messages.”
      United commented: “Marcus is fine. It was an accidental collision. Thankfully, both were uninjured.”
      The Man United striker’s 2.5-ton vehicle has a top speed of 155mphCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The 25-year-old’s car hit a traffic light camera postCredit: Zenpix More

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      Maddy Cusack’s death not suspicious, police say as they release update into cause of death of Sheffield United star

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      SHEFFIELD United football star Maddy Cusack’s death is not being treated as suspicious, police have revealed.Cops have provided an update on their investigations after the 27-year-old player died last Wednesday.
      Tributes have been paid to tragic footballer Maddy CusackCredit: Getty
      Derbyshire Police today released a statement saying the death was not being seen as suspicious.
      The force added: “We were called to a property in Lady Lea Road, Horsley, just after 6.35pm on Wednesday 20 September.
      “A woman, in her 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family are aware and are being supported by specialist officers.”
      The Blades announced Maddy’s death last Thursday and tributes were paid at yesterday’s Premier League home match against Newcastle United.
      Read More On Maddy Cusack
      A minute’s silence was held before kick-off and the club’s matchday programme featured on the cover a black and white picture of Cusack in a Sheffield United shirt.
      And fans gave a minute’s applause in the eighth minute, since she wore the number eight shirt for Sheffield United.
      The club said in a statement last week: “Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack.
      “Maddy, a women’s team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the Football Club, passed away on Wednesday.
      Most read in Football
      “A respected player, Maddy, 27, last season reached the milestone of 100 appearances for Sheffield United Women.
      “Additionally, she was a valued colleague in the offices at Bramall Lane, moving over from the Sheffield United Community Foundation to the Club in 2021 to help market all areas of the Blades.”
      Stephen Bettis, United’s chief executive officer, commented: “This is heartbreaking news for everyone at Bramall Lane.
      “Maddy had a unique position of being part of a number of teams at Sheffield United and was popular with everyone that she came into contact with.
      “Her personality and professionalism made her a credit to her family – she will be sadly missed.
      “Whilst taking in the news and moving forward, the Club will offer as much support as possible to Maddy’s family, friends and colleagues.”
      Maddy had just entered her sixth season with the Blades having signed a new contract in July.
      She made her Sheffield United debut in 2019 and became the first player to make 100 appearances for the club’s women’s team.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      She previously played for Birmingham City and Aston Villa.
      Arsenal and England Lionesses legend Leah Williamson today posted on X, formerly Twitter: “Sending all my love and condolences to Maddy’s family at this awful time.”
      Maddy had only recently signed a new contract at Sheffield UnitedCredit: Rex More

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      ‘Controlling’ Antony pored through ‘abused’ ex’s phone to check chats while Man Utd ace was on Brazil duty, driver says

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      ANTONY “demanded to go through” his ex-girlfriend’s phone to check her messages while he was away on a match with Brazil’s national team, her former driver has claimed.Sandro Oliveira, who worked as a chauffeur to Gabriela Cavallin, in Sao Paolo, is said to have corroborated the influencer’s abuse allegations.
      Antony is said to have insisted to check Gabriela’s phone after he came back from a Brazil gameCredit: Getty
      Gabriela Cavallin alleged the footballer physically and mentally abused herCredit: Instagram
      The 22-year-old DJ sensationally claimed that the Manchester United star assaulted her throughout their two-year relationship.
      Antony has strongly denied the allegations and has vowed to clear his name.
      The shocking claims have led to probes in Manchester and Sao Paolo.
      Gabriela’s former driver was interviewed by police on Wednesday as part of the Brazilian investigation and claimed he met the footie star three times – the first one in November 2021.
      read more on antony
      He recalled one of the times when the DJ asked him to pick up Antony from the airport after an international match with Brazil’s national team, according to Extra.
      He said the £85million winger insisted on checking Gabriela’s messages on her phone to see who she had been speaking with after getting in the car.
      Oliveira claimed that on a separate occasion, he received an “SOS message” from Gabriela while she was at a luxury apartment near Sao Paulo
      The driver told police that Gabriela told him: “Antony is hitting me.”
      Most read in Football
      Antony reportedly phoned him shortly after he arrived in the area and said: “Sandro, come and get Gabi before I do something.”
      Sandro also told cops he noticed Gabriela’s face and left arm were “very red.”
      The alleged attack reportedly happened when Gabriela was pregnant with Antony’s child before she lost the baby.
      The influencer’s best friend Brenda Tereza Gondacki is said to have also corroborated abuse allegations against Antony.
      Cops will be able to go through the former couple’s chats after Gabriela voluntarily handed over her phone for examination.
      She previously shared a series of shocking texts purportedly sent from Antony who allegedly told her he “hopes she dies” and branded her “disgusting” and “deceitful” after she ignored him.
      The influencer also posted pictures of injuries she sustained in the alleged attacks, claiming Antony punched and headbutted her before threatening to crash their car after she tried to end their relationship.
      She also said that her finger was cut to the bone and that the footballer attacked her four times – even while she was pregnant.
      Antony is also facing accusations of domestic abuse from banker Ingrid Lana who claims he pushed her against a wall in Manchester in September last year.
      While a third alleged victim came forward saying she was left needing hospital treatment after being attacked by Antony, she dropped her case earlier this week.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Law student Rayssa de Freitas initially said she was assaulted in the backseat of Antony’s Land Rover after a night out in São Paulo, but has now withdrawn her claim.
      The footballer, who has now been axed from the national team – has denied the abuse allegations and admitted his relationship with Gabriela was “tumultuous” but claimed it never resulted in violence.
      How you can get helpWomen’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

      Always keep your phone nearby.
      Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
      If you are in danger, call 999.
      Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
      Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
      If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
      Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

      If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
      Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
      You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. More

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      Antony’s ex Gabriela Cavallin ‘sent SOS message to chauffeur’ saying Man Utd star ‘is hitting me’, reports claim

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      ANTONY’s ex-girlfriend is said to have sent an “SOS message” to her chauffeur saying the Manchester United star was hitting her, a report has claimed.The £85million winger, 23, faces allegations of domestic abuse after his ex Gabriela Cavallin, 22, claimed he physically and mentally abused her throughout their relationship.
      Antony is facing a series of abuse allegationsCredit: Getty
      Gabriela’s chauffeur told cops he received an “SOS message” from herCredit: The Sun
      The DJ and influencer shared a series of shocking text messages between the footballer and herself and even posted photos of injuries she allegedly sustained in one of the attacks.
      Antony has vehemently denied the allegations.
      The influencer’s former driver Sandro Oliveira is said to have corroborated her abuse claims, speaking to the Brazilian police, as part of the probe into Antony.
      Oliveira, who was interviewed on Wednesday in Sao Paolo, claimed he met Antony on three occasions – the first one in November 2021.
      read more on anthony
      The driver told Brazilian cops he recalled responding to an “SOS message” from Gabriela after she was “assaulted” at a luxury apartment near Sao Paulo – where the footballer was photographed earlier this month with friends.
      The driver claimed he received a phone call from Gabriela who told him: “Antony is hitting me,” reported Extra.
      The outlet reported that Antony phoned him shortly after he arrived in the area and said: “Sandro, come and get Gabi before I do something.”
      Sandro reportedly police he noticed Gabriela’s face and left arm were “very red.”
      Most read in Football
      The alleged assault is said to have happened when Gabriela was carrying Antony’s child before she lost the baby around 16 weeks into her pregnancy.
      On a separate occasion, Gabriela asked him to pick him up from the airport after an international match.
      He claimed the footballer insisted on checking her mobile phone messages to see who she had been speaking with after getting in the car.
      Apart from the driver, the influencer’s best friend Brenda Tereza Gondacki reportedly corroborated abuse allegations against Antony.
      Investigators will be able to examine texts between the ex-couple after Gabriela voluntarily handed over her phone to assist the probe.
      Gabriela claimed Antony punched and headbutted her, as well as threatening to crash their car after she tried to end their relationship.
      The DJ and influencer claimed that her finger was also cut to the bone and that the footballer attacked her while she was pregnant.
      A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report seen by ESPN.
      The shocking allegations have sparked investigations in Manchester and Sao Paolo.
      Antony is also facing accusations of assault from banker Ingrid Lana who alleges he pushed her against a wall in Manchester in September last year.
      A third claim made by a law student who accused Antony of assaulting her in his car was dropped earlier this week.
      Rayssa de Freitas claimed she needed hospital treatment after the attack in the backseat of Antony’s Land Rover after a night out in São Paulo, but has now withdrawn the allegation.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The Brazil World Cup ace has denied all the allegations and vowed to clear his name after being quizzed by cops in Brazil.
      Banker Ingrid Lana claimed the footballer pushed her against a wall in Manchester last SeptemberHow you can get helpWomen’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:

      Always keep your phone nearby.
      Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
      If you are in danger, call 999.
      Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
      Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
      If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
      Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

      If you are a ­victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support ­service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
      Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available weekdays from 8am-6pm and weekends 10am-6pm.
      You can also call the freephone 24-hour ­National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. More

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      Ex-England star Jesse Lingard apologises as he admits drink-driving in his £200k Lamborghini – and is fined £57k

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      EX-ENGLAND star Jesse Lingard has apologised after he admitted drink-driving in his £200,000 Lamborghini – and was fined £57,000.The former Manchester United footballer, 30, had only owned the flash motor for three months when he was stopped by cops on July 8 in Manchester while double the alcohol limit.
      Jesse Lingard leaving court today after he was fined a week’s wagesCredit: Steve Allen
      He was caught drink driving behind the wheel of his LamborghiniCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Lingard admitted the driving offenceCredit: Steve Allen
      Tara Riley, prosecuting, said that an officer who was following his Lamborghini Uris became aware it was being driven at speed.
      The the officer’s “initial belief”, she said, was Lingard’s vehicle was racing another high-performance car.
      “He doesn’t believe 100 per cent they were racing but they were driving at speed,” she said.
      She said the officer spoke to Lingard at the roadside and believed he was under the influence of alcohol due to his behaviour.
      Read More Football
      A breath test revealed 76 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.
      Frank Rogers, representing Lingard, described the player’s actions as “out of character”.
      Mr Rogers said Lingard had initially been out for a meal with friends and only drunk soft drinks.
      He’d intended going home but had then received a call from a “fellow professional footballer” and driven to Manchester to have a “few drinks” with him.
      Most read in Football
      Mr Rogers said Lingard had “mistakenly” believed he had left sufficient time to drive home, describing it as “spontaneous decision”.
      A personal assistant, who would normally drive Lingard in such circumstances, wasn’t working, he said.
      Mr Rogers denied Lingard had been “racing” and the two-“high-performance cars” were sitting at lights at the time
      He said Lingard had shown remorse for his actions and it was “apparent how heavily this weighs on him”.
      Mr Rogers said that his client would pay a “heavy price” in the future as his career and family – to whom he has large financial commitments- would be impacted.
      He added that Lingard – who is currently without a club after being released by Nottingham Forest – was training with West Ham, who were considering offering him a contract, and other offers were “in the pipeline”.
      When pressed by district judge Joanne Hirst how much Lingard currently earned, Mr Rogers told the court it was £249,000 a month, or £57,000 a week.
      The judge told Lingard the case had aggravating features, including  him being twice over the limit, saying: “One wonders who would have cared for your entire family had you killed yourself or someone else.”
      The judge told him that he would be punished in the same way as anyone else before the court – a week’s earnings.
      She also added a £2,000 victim surcharge, meaning Lingard must £59,000 in total, and banned him from driving for 18-months, to run concurrently with an existing six-month ban.
      Lingard said in a statement: “I want to acknowledge my mistake and publicly apologise for my unacceptable actions.
      “I completely understand and accept the consequences of my mistake by putting the lives of others at risk.
      “I am sorry to all my fans anyone who has followed and supported me throughout my career.
      “I accept the sentence of the court and the fine.”
      It is the second time Lingard will appear before magistrates in less than two months.
      He was previously banned from driving after he failed to name the driver when his car was caught speeding.
      The midfielder’s Range Rover was flashed by a speed camera on the A56 in Trafford last year.
      Lingard, 30, then failed to give police the the name of the driver when he received a speeding notice at his home.
      He pleaded guilty to failing to provide information about who was driving his vehicle at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.
      The star was fined £900 with a further £560 in costs and banned from the roads for six months.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The ban came under a “totting up” process as Lingard already had points on his licence from two previous speeding offences.
      His lawyer claimed he was not the driver but missed the letter telling him to provide the drivers’ details as it went to his old address in Manchester while he was then living in Nottingham.
      Lingard playing for Nottingham Forest in MarchCredit: Getty More

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      How Premier League could face #MeToo-style season of reckoning after Man United stars plagued by assault allegations

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      PREMIER League clubs could face a #MeToo-style season of reckoning after Manchester United stars past and present battled abuse allegations.While allegations of sexual assault have plagued the entertainment industry, politics and academia, football has so far avoided deep scrutiny.
      Antony is facing allegations of domestic abuse from his ex-girlfriend, which he deniesCredit: PA
      Mason Greenwood, who now plays for Spanish side Getafe CF, was arrested for assault, attempted rape and coercive controlCredit: Getty
      United star Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of raping an American modelCredit: PA
      The #MeToo movement was sparked in 2017 by bombshell allegations of abuse by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
      He’s serving decades in prison for rape and sexual assault.
      Leading charity Women’s Aid said the football industry could face its own #MeToo movement – where people publicise their experiences of sexual abuse or harassment.
      United has already dealt with allegations of assault against at least three players in the last few years.
      Read more on Man United
      Antony’s ex-girlfriend Gabriela Cavallin came forward with allegations of abuse against the £85million winger – sparking two separate police investigations in Manchester and Sao Paulo.
      A total of four alleged attacks are described in a police report seen by ESPN.
      Cavallin shared pictures showing bloodied clothes, sliced fingers, and a head wound from an alleged attack.
      Antony has not been arrested or charged – and promised to “come up with the evidence” to prove the truth.
      Most read in Football
      But the allegations have come just a year after United outcast Mason Greenwood was arrested for assault, attempted rape and coercive control.
      The CPS chose not to proceed with the case against him but the club carried out their own probe and he left under “mutual agreement”.
      And back in 2018, United star Cristiano Ronaldo was accused of raping American model Kathryn Mayorga in a Las Vegas hotel room in 2009.
      He denies the allegations and has never been charged.
      The case was kicked out of court by a US judge in June last year after the accuser’s lawyer relied on leaked and stolen records.
      But the alleged victim said she was encouraged to launch legal action after the rise of the #MeToo movement.
      The woman’s lawyer, Leslie Stovall, said: “The #MeToo movement and the women who have stood up and disclosed sexual assaults publicly has given (her) a lot of courage and has, to a great extent, enabled her to come forward.”
      Women’s Aid said any male-dominated industry could have a #MeToo movement – including football.
      Teresa Parker, head of media relations for Women’s Aid, told The Sun: “Any male dominated industry – particularly where there is a lot of money and power involved – could have a ‘Me Too’ moment, including the football industry but also industries including music and comedy.
      “Power and control underpins the majority of abuse against women.
      “And it is important that while abuse can happen anywhere, that we understand the power dynamics at play in the workplace and respond to these in a bespoke way by developing policies and ensuring there is accountability for perpetrators.”
      After the Greenwood fiasco and the criticism of the way United handled the situation, the club has tried to learn from their mistakes.
      As a result, they have been a lot clearer handling the allegations surrounding Antony.
      Women’s Aid praised the club for their swift action as Antony was due to return to training after the news broke.
      After the criticism United received over the situation with Greenwood, Old Trafford chiefs spoke at length to Women’s Aid — and other charities — about how to deal with similar situations.
      But the club did not expect another issue to arise quite so soon as allegations emerged against Antony.
      As well as dealing with fresh allegations, four United stars have now been involved in a furious dressing-room bust-up.
      With Greenwood and Antony off the field, Rio Ferdinand slammed United for failing to listen to Ralf Rangnick’s warning about the state of the club.
      Rangnick claimed United needed “open heart surgery” and wanted a squad overhaul in the summer of 2022.
      Ferdinand believes United chiefs failed to listen to the German and they are now paying the price after Antony’s leave of absence and the dressing room bust-up.
      The club has said it will cooperate with any police probe into Antony as he takes “a period of absence” following allegations made against him.
      United has described any suggestion of a cover-up as “categorically false”.
      The club said: “Manchester United acknowledges the allegations made against Antony.
      “It has been agreed with Antony that he will delay his return until further notice in order to address the allegations.
      “As a club we condemn acts of violence and abuse.
      “We recognise the importance of safeguarding all those involved in this situation, and acknowledge the impact these allegations have on survivors of abuse.”
      Other Premier League players – who have not been named – have also been accused of sexual assault.
      In June, a woman claimed she was raped by a Prem League star as a teen in a bombshell interview.
      Elsewhere, the Spanish government has already called for the fury over Luis Rubiales’ “kiss-gate” scandal to become football’s “Me Too moment”.
      Footballer Jenni Hermoso claimed she “felt vulnerable and the victim of aggression” after the kiss from Rubiales.
      She filed an official criminal case against Rubiales as the disgraced FA chief continues to deny any wrongdoing.
      Víctor Francos, Secretary of State for Sport, said: “This should be the MeToo moment for Spanish football.”
      Rubiales was later hit with a restraining order which bans him from contacting Hermoso or going near her.
      “This is a critical moment in this country, people are moving towards more gender equality,” Carolina García, a sports journalist at Telemadrid TV network, said.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      Graham Hunter, a British journalist who writes about Spanish football and has met Rubiales three times, said the events marked a “seismic” victory for the Spanish women’s team.
      “Seismic is the only word for describing how these intelligent, talented women banded together, pointed out how they refused to be treated this way and generated extraordinary support around the world,” he told Al Jazeera.
      Antony’s ex-girlfriend Gabriela CavallinCredit: Instagram
      Ronaldo was accused by American model Kathryn Mayorga of raping her in a Vegas hotel roomCredit: AP:Associated Press
      United has dealt with allegations of assault against at least three players in the last few yearsCredit: Reuters More

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      Footballer, 33, who took cops on high speed chase before crashing 100k Range Rover and running from scene dodges jail

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      A FOOTBALLER who led police on a high speed chase in a £100,000 Range Rover ran off after smashing into a parked car.Gary Madine, 33, who has played up front for Sheffield Wednesday, Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool, roared around in his Range Rover with police on his tail.
      Blackpool’s Gary Madine walks off the pitch after being shown a red card during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on Feb 7 2023Credit: PA
      Damage to Gary Madine’s Range RoverCredit: NCJMedia
      Madine ran from the scene after crashing into a parked carCredit: NCJMedia
      Locals were asleep as Madine sped through Birtley, Gateshead during the early hours of April 3.
      Madine, who has previous convictions for violence, decided to floor the SUV rather than pull over when cops arrived.
      Newcastle Crown Court heard how Madine behaved in a “ridiculously stupid” way when officers turned up to reports of a disturbance in the early hours of the morning.
      Mark Atkins, prosecuting, said: “The vehicle began to make off and ignored instructions by the police to stop.
      “The police officer got into his car and followed the defendant and activated his blue lights and siren.
      “During the police pursuit, he drove dangerously. There’s footage of the pursuit from the dash cam of the police car.
      “During the chase, the defendant collided with a white Ford Focus parked outside a house on a path.”
      The impact of that crash caused a post box to be knocked over and caused damage to the Ford and the Range Rover.
      Most read in Football
      Madine tried to continue driving but was unable to do so due to the damage, and after around 40m he got out and ran off, along with his passenger.
      However as he was the registered keeper of the car, he was easily traced. However he failed to respond to a notice requesting information on who was driving at the time.
      The 33-year-old, of Bede Way, Birtley, who has four previous convictions for violence but a clean driving licence, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to stop for police and failing to provide information regarding the driver of a vehicle.
      Recorder Paul Reid sentenced him to six months suspended for 18 months with 250 hours unpaid work and a 12 month driving ban with a requirement he sit an extended test before he can get his licence back.
      The judge said: “It’s a mystery why people in your position do this, I suspect you made off from the police because you didn’t want to be breathalysed but I disregard that, the circumstances of this are bad enough.
      “I’m impressed with the pre-sentence report and character references and the letter you have written yourself. You described this as an act of stupidity. It’s fortunate it didn’t result in worse damage or injury to other people.”
      Shaun Routledge, defending, said Madine had “panicked”, adding: “2023 has been a difficult year for him, his relationship of some years ending and he suffered a serious injury which led to nine months of rehabilitation and not being able to perform the job he has done for many years. He was feeling very low in April.”
      Mr Routledge said Madine’s “profession depends on his full recovery”, adding: “There are offers from other clubs.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “Blackpool have been very supportive in terms of rehab. It may be he gets a way back into what he has done all his adult life but he may not. He realises what he did was ridiculously stupid.”
      Madine in action for Blackpool against Rangers last yearCredit: Willie Vass
      Gary Madine leaves Newcastle Quayside Law Courts.Credit: NCJMedia
      Gary Madine, who admitted dangerous drivingCredit: NCJMedia More