Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez cops it for not knowing that 'constabulary' means 'police'

Carlos Tevez has been banned from driving for six months after ignoring police letters about speeding offences because he did not understand the word “constabulary”.

The Manchester City striker had pleaded guilty to three offences, including driving without a valid British licence, at a magistrates court hearing. The player’s lawyer told magistrates that Tevez, who has played in the Premier League for seven years, had not responded to the letters because he had not understood them.

“He does understand the word ‘police’, but not more complicated words. The letters are written from Cheshire Constabulary and the word police doesn’t appear on it anywhere,” Tevez’s solicitor, Gwyn Lewis, said. “The word ‘constabulary’ is not one that is recognised internationally, but of course police is.”

Tevez had driven with an Argentine licence and his lawyer said the striker, who was not present in court, would take a UK driving test once the ban had expired. Reports said Tevez’s Hummer was caught on camera exceeding the speed limit in March and May last year. He denied being at the wheel on those occasions but was stopped by police while driving his Porsche Panamera in November without a valid licence.

Tevez was also ordered to pay fines and costs of £1,540.

Midfielder Michael Johnson has revealed that mental health problems helped end his career at City, where he was once tipped as a future England international.

Johnson was released last month after struggling for fitness. He had not played for the club since October 2009 after a succession of injuries, including a ruptured cruciate ligament.

He said: “I am more disappointed than anyone. I have been attending the Priory clinic for a number of years now with regard to my mental health and would be grateful if I could now be left alone to live the rest of my life.”