Former England star avoids driving ban after filming migrant protest behind wheel of car

Carroll, 36, was spotted using his mobile phone as he approached a large demonstration outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, in June.

The former Premier League star, who has represented clubs including Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle United, had been driving on a diverted route as police directed motorists around a road closed due to the protest.

Officers guiding traffic noticed Carroll with his phone raised in front of him, filming the crowd as he inched forward in congestion.

The father of five admitted the offence at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, accepting he had used his phone while driving.

The incident has proved costly, earning him six more penalty points on an already overloaded licence.

Records showed Carroll had accumulated 10 previous points from three separate speeding offences between 2022 and 2024.

Ordinarily, the additional points would have led to an immediate ban. However, the striker’s legal team successfully argued that a disqualification would cause exceptional hardship.

The court heard that Carroll has an ongoing responsibility to drive a family member to hospital for regular medical treatment.

Magistrates accepted the argument, allowing him to keep his licence, though not without a stern warning.

Chairman of the bench, Jeremy Batchelor, did not hide his frustration as he cautioned the footballer.

“You need to be very, very careful indeed,” he said, advising Carroll to treat his licence as a final chance rather than a reprieve.

“You’re driving on borrowed time in effect. Keep that mobile phone well away from your hand, watch your speed.”

Carroll was also handed a £1,052 bill in fines and court costs.

His lawyer, Patrick O’Reilly, told the bench the footballer had not been intentionally flouting the law but was attempting to explain his lateness to a friend he was due to meet.

“Mr Carroll was late for a meeting with a friend. He was stopped in traffic. He used his phone to film the protest,” O’Reilly said.

He added that the road was crowded and police were clearly visible.

“There were hundreds, if not thousands, of people around. He could see police everywhere. He filmed in order to show his friend why he was late.”

Carroll currently plays for Dagenham and Redbridge, having joined the team following a brief spell with Bordeaux.

He made nine appearances for the England national team, scoring twice, with an effort against Sweden at the European Championships particularly memorable.

Carroll's last outing for the Three Lions came in 2012.