SOCCER star Titus Bramble was given extra time to fight speeding charges.Yesterday The Evening Star tracked down the former Ipswich Town player at a charity event - when he should have been in court.

SOCCER star Titus Bramble was given extra time to fight speeding charges.

Yesterday The Evening Star tracked down the former Ipswich Town player at a charity event - when he should have been in court.

But rather than being read the riot act by magistrates Bramble's speeding conviction was quashed and a new trial ordered after the court heard about a breakdown in communication.

Solicitor Ian Duckworth, for the Newcastle United player, said there had been confusion about whether or not Bramble needed to attend on the day he was convicted.

Bench chairman Bernard Hindes, sitting at South East South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich, said he was ordering a new trial "in the interests of justice".

The case was adjourned until October 15 for a trial date to be fixed. Bramble is not expected to attend that hearing.

Mr Duckworth said Bramble had not realised he had to be at the last hearing because of confusion in communication between the court and him.

He told the magistrates: "In the interests of justice Mr Bramble should not be penalised."

Mr Duckworth said Bramble, 22, of Newcastle-Upon Tyne, would deny the allegations.

Last month prosecutors told magistrates that two police officers clocked Bramble driving his BMW car at 102 mph and without a licence on the A14 at Sproughton.

He had been expected to turn up for sentence yesterday morning.

But instead The Evening Star pictured him with his brother, Southend United striker Tesfaye Bramble and former players Jason Dozzell and Ruel Fox at a 'private' photo shoot for the Whitton United Childrens' Sports Academy on the other side of town.

He was there as a trustee.

By the afternoon Bramble changed into a dark suit and attended the Ipswich courthouse where Mr Duckworth successfully argued for the case to be re-opened.

He added Bramble only found out about yesterday's proceedings through the radio and media.

After making the decision to re-open the case Mr Hindes said: "The bench is somewhat disturbed by the chaotic manner correspondence has flitted between the parties.

"It is important Mr Bramble has a right to a fair trial."