Villa star Carew fleeced in car scam by "gifted talker"

Footballer John Carew told a court how a car dealer accused of fleecing him in a £250,000 scam was a "gifted talker".

Giving evidence to Birmingham Crown Court, the Aston Villa star said he paid Richard Esprit more than £100,000 to secure him a “good deal” on a white Porsche Cayenne Gemballa - complete with bespoke TV screens in the seats - but the car never arrived.

It has been alleged that in total Carew paid Esprit more than £250,000 in a series of car-related deals – but in the end had nothing to show for it.

Mr Carew, 31, told the jury: “He said he would get me a good price and said it was a very special vehicle.
“He said it had a super kit, very difficult to get hold of and would be very exclusive. It sounded a good deal.

“He was a gifted talker and seemed like a nice person. I didn’t have any suspicions. I never got that car.”
Esprit, aged 43, of Staines, Middlesex, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of fraud and two of theft of 147,500.
The trial continues.

Speeding Jordan handed six month driving ban

Glamour girl Katie Price - AKA Jordan - has been banned from driving for six-months after she was clocked doing 83mph in her Land Rover.

The model, 32, formerly known as Jordan, was fined £1,000 and given three penalty points - her third driving conviction this year - which took her over 12 penalty points and earned her an automatic ban.

Her lawyer, Robin Sellers, told Crawley magistrates she had been trying to escape photographers when caught speeding on the 70mph A23 in Pyecombe, Sussex.

But Deputy District Judge Ken Goldspring interrupted and said: “That goes with the territory doesn’t it?”

Before this latest incident, Price was given three points for chatting on her mobile phone while behind the wheel in June 2008.

She was also given four more points for traveling at 99mph in July of this year and also in September another three for swerving across lanes of the motorway.

Katie owns a pink VW Beetle, two pink horseboxes and two Range Rovers but the signs are that she won't be looking to sell a car.

The star didn’t seem too upset and has since tweeted: “At least my mum dad brother sister can drive my cars now.”

Research suggest motorists favour 'downsizing'

A recent survey has found that a massive 72% of British motorists are "seriously considering" selling a car favour of something more economical.

The research - conducted by Manheim Auctions - found that motorists plan to get around rising "austerity measures" by down-sizing their cars instead of cutting back on trips.
Drivers would be looking for cars with cheaper road tax, lower running costs and potentially cheaper insurance. They may also consider very low emission eco models that are exempt from road tax altogether.
“The government’s spending cuts will affect everyone in some way, but our research suggests that many drivers will continue to use their car as they always have,” said Craig Mailey, marketing director, Manheim Auctions. “For many, driving less is simply not an option. We all need to get to work after all.
“However, it’s great to see that motorists are seriously looking at ways to drive more economically. Although you may pay more initially, ensuring your next car is fuel efficient will save you money in the long run, especially with the benefits of lower road tax and cheaper insurance.”
With all the recent research suggesting that motorists now want to sell their car in a hassle free way and get the cash in their banks as quickly as possible, Car Buying Companies can look forward to another bumper year.