Bradford City striker Ashley Ward has been cleared of a 110mph speeding charge on a legal technicality.

His solicitor Nicholas Freeman got the case thrown out after a traffic policeman admitted he had not formally confirmed the driver's identity.

And because Ward had taken his lawyer's advice that he did not have to attend the hearing, the officer was unable to identify him in Court.

District judge Andrew Shaw agreed that the case fell at the first hurdle and formally acquitted Mr Ward who moved from Blackburn Rovers to the Bantams last year for £1.5million.

Manchester magistrates court heard how PC Andrew Hale was joining the M56 motorway near Manchester Airport when he saw a six-litre Aston Martin Vantage coupe flash past at 8pm on July 8 last year.

He took up the chase and switched on his in-car video camera and a speed-measuring device. He clocked the £100,000 sports car at 110.64 mph and pulled it over.

The driver gave his name as Ashley Stuart Ward, his date of birth as November 24, 1970, his address at Mobberley, near Knutsford, Cheshire, and his occupation as professional footballer.

Mr Ward was summoned to court but did not have to attend in person. Mr Freeman explained: 'Under Section 122 of the Magistrates' Courts Act an accused person on summons is deemed to be present by virtue of the presence of his lawyer. I advised him not to attend.'

The player was awarded costs from central funds.