FORMER Middlesbrough and Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate will not face a retrial for alleged speeding after his case was dropped.

Woodgate, had denied exceeding a temporary 50mph limit on the A66 at Long Newton, between Darlington and Stockton, in January last year.

At Teesside Magistrates’ Court in August last year, the trial was aborted after a discrepancy concerning the length of the road came to light. The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday announced it would not appeal the decision.

Woodgate, from Nunthorpe Middlesbrough, was on his way to Middlesbrough’s training ground at Rockliffe Park, Hurworth, Darlington, when he was stopped.

Nick Freeman, who defended Woodgate, has previously successfully defended several sportsmen and television personalities, including footballer David Beckham, snooker player Ronnie O’Sullivan and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

During the trial last year, the court heard that the police speed check in an unmarked Skoda was said to have been carried out over a distance of 519 metres.

However, the stretch of road covered by the temporary limit was said in evidence to be only 405 metres long.

PC Bruce Thorpe, of Cleveland Police, who stopped Woodgate, said they noticed the car because of the manner it was being driven.

But he admitted that because of the discrepancy in the numbers, the test was void.

It was alleged in court that Woodgate, who now plays for Tottenham Hotspur, had been travelling at an average of 67mph, reaching as high as 87mph.

District Judge Sandra Keen dismissed the case, saying there was no evidence to properly convict him.

Mr Freeman yesterday confirmed he had received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service saying they would not lodge an appeal to overturn the decision.

He said: “I am delighted for my client that the CPS has dropped its appeal.

“While it has taken them an awfully long time to come to their senses, Mr Woodgate has had this hanging over him.”