Safe Speed Forums

A former top football referee escaped a driving ban after being caught speeding on the A5 in north Wales.
Former Fifa official Philip Don was fined £200 with £35 costs after admitting driving his Volvo at 86mph on a 60mph stretch at Ty Nant, near Corwen.

Llandudno magistrates told Don, who now works for Sport England, that he was "quite fortunate" to avoid a ban.

He told the court he drove 12,000 miles a year through his work.

Magistrates also imposed six points on his licence.

This is in addition to the three he collected two years ago, also for speeding.

Don, of Feltham in Middlesex, had been returning from the national mountain centre at Plas y Brenin in Snowdonia when he was snapped by a police officer with a laser device.

He explained he had been travelling for 10 miles behind a driver who was accelerating, braking, and chatting to his two children.

The court heard that he was passing him when he spotted the police laser van.

Don added that working for Sport England he travelled to various parts of the country and until his speeding fine two years ago he had an unblemished record.

The former head teacher was in charge of all Premiership referees for three years until 2003.

He refereed the FA Cup Final in 1992 and in 1994 was in charge of the European Cup Final and was an official at the World Cup in the United States.

Don added that working for Sport England he travelled to various parts of the country and until his speeding fine two years ago he had an unblemished record.