Football coach Kevin Bond cleared of using mobile while driving
- Published
Kevin Bond has worked at a number of clubs in English football
A football coach has been cleared of using a mobile phone while driving.
Kevin Bond, 66, who left Bristol Rovers earlier this week, was accused of not being in proper control while driving a grey Land Rover in Southampton on 20 December 2022.
Prosecutors said he had been seen with a "dark item" in his hand. He told Southampton Magistrates' Court he "never" held his phone in his hand.
Magistrates said Mr Bond's evidence was "credible" and he was acquitted.
The trial heard that a police staff investigator had seen the driver looking down and having a dark item in their left hand while he was trying to cross the road.
The former Bournemouth and Southend manager said it could have been his glasses case or a coffee and that he uses hands-free only in both the cars he drives.
He told the magistrates: "I do an awful lot of driving in my car, I never hold my phone in my hand in my car.
"I have car play in my car, I have a cradle which my phone sits in.
"I only know I wasn't holding a mobile phone, I was in control of the car, if I did look down it would be a moment, but that would have been it."
'Credible evidence'
Mr Bond, of Chilworth, Southampton, also told the court the vehicle was shared with other people and he could not recall where he was that day but that he accepted responsibility that he was the driver.
The magistrates told the football boss he was free to go, adding: "Because of the evidence and credible evidence you have [given], we find you not guilty."
Mr Bond is best known as Harry Redknapp's long-serving assistant at clubs including Southampton, Tottenham and Queens Park Rangers.
As a player, he played more than 100 games each for Norwich, Manchester City, Southampton and Bournemouth.
He left his role as first team coach at League One side Bristol Rovers earlier this week, having re-joined the club on a part-time basis in November.
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