Manuel Lanzini faces a driving ban and fine after illegally driving a brand-new Porsche through the City without a licence or insurance.
The Hammers midfielder was pulled over by police in January as he drove the leased Porsche Cayenne down Aldgate on a trip to the pharmacist.
Lanzini, whose wife and chauffeur were insured to drive the vehicle, claimed at the roadside he knew he needed to get a UK licence but had been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Evening Standard reports he pleaded guilty at Bromley magistrates court last week, just days before he was involved in a dramatic car crash on his way to the West Ham training ground.
According to court documents, Lanzini was pulled over just after 3pm on January 27 in a routine traffic stop.
“I had cause to stop a grey Porsche Cayenne”, said the officer in his statement. “The vehicle stopped in Aldgate and the driver was asked if he had his driving licence and if the vehicle belonged to him.”
PC Francis said Lanzini produced his Argentinian driving licence, which is valid until 2024, and told the officer he had been living in the UK for the last five years.
“A check on the vehicle via the Police national computer also showed that the vehicle was a lease vehicle and only insured to two persons, one been the wife of Lanzini and his driver Victor Williams.”
He said Lanzini said he “had only driven a short distance and only lived round the corner but needed to visit the pharmacist.”
PC Francis discovered Lanzini had been convicted of driving without insurance in 2020, adding: “Lanzini stated that he knew that he should have a UK licence and that Covid had delayed this process.
“When asked if he knew that he shouldn’t be driving he stated that he did know.”
The Hammers star faces penalty points for each offence which could amount to a driving ban, as well as financial penalties.
“He wishes to plead guilty to both matters but would seek a court hearing to advance his mitigation in person,” the solicitor wrote.
Lanzini, who lives in a £4.7 million apartment in the London Docklands, pleaded guilty to using a motor vehicle otherwise then in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle on a road without third party insurance.
His case will be heard at City of London magistrates court on April 12.
Claret and Hugh says: It’s been a bad few weeks for the Argentine midfielder and the question now is whether or not the manager will use him in the game against Everton on Sunday. As we reported earlier we have been told that he has some bad bruising following his escape from serious injuries in the accident on the A12 yesterday. Thankfully, we understand the driver is also ok but there’s probably reason to believe that Manu is struggling with some anxiety issues following that and the problem he had earlier and reported above. David Moyes is by far the best person to judge his mental condition but from all we hear and can imagine we would expect Said Benrahma to start.
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