FOOTBALLER Steven Fletcher has been fined by Carlisle magistrates - as a result of not organising his post properly while away from home.
Scotland and Premier League striker Fletcher was hit with a motoring charge after his wife was caught speeding in a Land Rover registered in his name.
The 29-year-old stood accused of failing to officially disclose who was driving the vehicle last May as it travelled along the A66 near Appleby.
Fletcher - currently loaned by Sunderland to French Ligue 1 side Marseille - denied the allegation.
But after a trial yesterday he was found guilty of the offence.
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In his defence, Fletcher told a two-hour court hearing that he and his wife were away from their home near Billingham, in Teesside, for almost three months last summer.
He claimed not to have received a notice of intended prosecution, nor two final reminders.
But magistrates concluded that Fletcher had not put an effective system in place to deal with mail which arrived in his absence.
As a result, the footballer was fined the maximum sum of £1,000.
He must also pay £620 costs and a £100 surcharge, and received six penalty points.
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