REPUBLIC OF IRELAND goalkeeper Shay Given escaped a driving ban in court yesterday after speeding in his luxury Bentley.

The current Irish number 1 and Manchester City bench warmer had admitted driving at 75mph in a 50mph zone in Manchester on 16 February.

Given, who was not in Manchester Magistrates’ Court, was also accused of failing to produce his driving licence but the charge was dropped during the hearing, reports The Daily Mail.

He was issued with an on-the-spot fixed penalty notice by traffic police but was unable to find his driving licence after moving from Newcastle to Manchester. Having since located his licence, he took it to the police station with his lawyer describing the incident as an “administration difficulty”.

Given was ordered to pay a £60 fine, £75 in costs and given four points on his licence. He already has three points dating back to a speeding offence in April 2008.

The former Blackburn and Newcastle goalkeeper is set to be on the move again in January after being displaced by Joe Hart in the City goal.