Premier League star Alex McCarthy slapped with 6 points and forced to pay £1k for BMW driving offence

SOUTHAMPTON star Alex McCarthy has been handed six points on his licence and must pay £1,000 in court costs after failing to identify the driver of his luxury BMW.

The Saints keeper, 32, was due to appear at Reading Magistrates Court but failed to attend the hearing himself yesterday.

The court heard that he ignored two attempts by Thames Valley Police to contact him after his grey BMW was reportedly spotted speeding in a 30mph zone in Sunningdale, near Ascot, Berkshire.

He was initially charged with one count of speeding, racing at 47mph in the 30mph zone, but the allegation was dropped.

McCarthy, who has one cap for England, pleaded guilty to the one count of failing to identify the driver of the car.

Reading a letter submitted on his behalf from his solicitors, District Judge Samuel Goozee said: “His solicitors have entered a guilty plea on his behalf. The car was not driven by him but driven by his employed driver.

“The lawyers say he is the goalkeeper for Southampton Football Club and has held a licence for 15 years.

“He has been a careful and considerate driver during this time. He accepts a fine and any points on his licence.”

Prosecutor Amy King that a summons of driving over the speed limit would be dropped following the admission of guilt for the identification offence, on the day he was expected to begin his trial.

Sentencing McCarthy in his absence, DJ Goozee ordered him to pay a £750 fine, £85 court costs and £75 victim surcharge.

He was also given six points on his driving licence for the offence.

The keeper has recently suffered a spate of thigh injuries, keeping him off the pitch for Southampton since December last year.