A PROFESSIONAL footballer has been found guilty of careless driving and speeding on the M6 in Cheshire.

Stoke City star Andre Vidigal, of Wilmslow, was caught driving a Mercedes without due care and attention on the M6 southbound between junction 18 and 17 on January 25, this year.

The 26-year-old did not attend Warrington Magistrates’ Court when the case was heard on September 9.

Magistrates found the case proved in his absence after listening to the evidence.

Vidigal was fined £660 and ordered to pay £264 victim surcharge and £90 costs.

He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months and his licence was endorsed.

The defendant was also charged with speeding on the M6 on the same day.

Vidigal was caught on manned equipment exceeding the 70mph speed limit on the same section of the motorway where he was convicted of careless driving.

Magistrates found the case proved but did not impose a separate penalty.

His driving licence was endorsed again.

The defendant was given until October 7 to pay the £1,014 court penalty in full.