CLARKSON BEATS SPEEDING FINE

The £10,000 per day solicitor Nick Freeman managed to get the charges against Clarkson dropped after he was caught doing 82mph in a 50 zone. He was driving an Alfa Romeo Brera, on loan to him from the company, on the A40 in Ruislip.

Alfa sent Clarkson the penalty notice when it arrived last year, but he declined to name the driver and so proceedings were delayed. When it finally came before the Magistrates Court, he employed the services of 'Mr Loophole', the man who has previously acquitted David Beckham, Alex Ferguson and Colin Montgomerie. He exploits police oversights and points to flaws in the legal handling of the charge, which usually results in the case collapsing.

Clarkson did not appear in court, and the prosecution withdrew its case before the hearing had even started.