Carlisle court allows Everton FC coach to keep his driving licence

Everton FC first team coach Steve Stone, 52, drives thousands of miles every year in his high-pressure job but he also supports family members, including a grandchild with a learning disability, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

He was given a ban under so-called totting up procedure after being prosecuted for a speeding on the A69 at Corby Hill in February last year.

He drove at 36mph in a 30mph zone.

Magistrates in Carlisle fined him £333 and he was given three points on his licence, which took him to 12 points, triggering a six-month ban. But the ban was put on hold pending the outcome of his appeal.

During a two-hour hearing before a judge and two magistrates, defence lawyer Mark Shepherd argued that the ban would cause "exceptional hardship" for Stone.

Stone said his job included acting as a link between the first team and younger players who are progressing through Everton’s football academy.

This involves watching those younger players in action.

That work is a pivotal part of the club’s business model, said Stone.

Stone said he had previously worked as first team coach for Newcastle United but he lost that job in 2016 and it took six or seven years to return to a job at the same level.

There are presently only "three or four English football coaches" who work at this level, he said. Stone spoke also of the challenges presently at Everton FC, which include having 10 points deducted for financial rule breaches.

This had created a relegation risk.

Questioned further by Mr Shepherd, Stone said Everton FC was "the heartbeat” of its local community, funding work such as a foodbank, which people rely on. Since his last court hearing, he said, he had researched possibly hiring a driver.

A speed camera on the A69 at Corby Hill (Image: Google Maps)

He worked out that he would need three such drivers, including one to get him to his family home at Ponteland, near Newcastle; one to ferry him between Everton FC’s Goodison Park ground and the club’s training ground at Halewood; and one to take him to and from away games.

Stone agreed this was not feasible.

Using taxis between his home and various work locations would involve getting there from some games at 4.30am, he said. “This job is mentally and physically exhausting as it is,” he said. Mr Shepherd also quizzed Stone about the support he gives his family.

A father of four daughters, he said two of them have children and they relied on him for support when he had days off. One of those grandchildren was a boy with learning difficulties. His son-in-law Peter Gorham said Stone played a “critical role” in his family life.

Mr Shepherd told the court: “To disqualify him from driving for this offence would cause exceptional hardship, most certainly for him and for others, both indirectly in Liverpool for his football club; and, more importantly, for his family.”

Recorder Peter Atherton told Stone that he had driven “significantly” in excess of the 30mph speed limit, and it was well understood that any excess speed in the event of an accident was likely to cause more serious injury.

Totting-up driving bans are “meant to be an inconvenience.”

But he noted that a ban would “significantly affect” the wellbeing of his grandson with a learning disability and disrupt his routine. The Recorder said Stone’s boss had not said the defendant would necessarily lose his job if he was banned from driving.

Stone would also be “replaceable” if dismissed, said the judge. However, the court was “just persuaded” to allow the appeal because of the impact a ban would have on his family and his employment.

“We are just persuaded that there would be exceptional hardship,” added Recorder Atherton.