Newcastle United Star Charged With Fake ID Offences

Published on the 17-09-2013

Newcastle United football player Cheik Tiote has been charged with being in possession of a fake Identity card. Tionte, 27 was found in possession of a fake Belgium driving license, he is also being charged with four other offences in relation to the fake driving license. Tiote who is originally from the Ivory Coast, moved to Belgium football team Anderlecht until 2005 when he joined Dutch football team FC Twente, he then moved to the UK in 2010 to join Premiership club Newcastle United for £3,500,000.

Tiote was stopped by police in the 12th February close the Newcastle United training ground. The Midfielder has been charged with using a Belgium fake driving license in a bid to obtain a full UK driving license. He is also accused of using the fake ID card to obtain car insurance in September 2011 where Tiote claimed he held a full UK driving license with no endorsements. Due to not holding a genuine driving license he was also charged with no license or insurance for his Chevrolet. In the eyes of the law this is fraud and could mean a jail sentence if convicted.

French speaking Cheik Tiote appeared in Newcastle crown court on the 12th September 2013 wearing jeans, a blue jacket, white shirt and blue shoes. French speaking Tiote spoke through an interpreter and did not speak other than to confirm his name and address and to also make his not guilty plea. The judge granted Tiote unconditional bail until the case goes to trial by Jury at Newcastle Crown Court at the end of October.

Possessing a fake driving license and trying to use it to commit fraud is a very serious charge and could jeopardise the midfielder’s position in the Newcastle United football team. Possessing a fake ID card is not a crime in itself but using a fake driving license or other fake ID card to commit fraud is. Cheik Tiote is known for his tough tackling on the pitch but when put in front of a jury in relation to his fake ID card charges he may not appear so tough. Committing fraud in the UK could give you up to a 10 year jail term depending on the severity of the crime, we will have to wait until October to find out if the courts find Tiote guilty and if they choose to make an example of the premiership footballer for his fake ID charges.