Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles appeared in court earlier today in Derby to face assault charges, with a trial date now set for April.

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles will appear in court in Derby on Wednesday to face assault charges.

Nile Ranger found not guilty after being found drunk asleep behind the wheel of his car following motorway crash.

A Hatem Ben Arfa ban from driving didn’t stop the Frenchman smiling as he left court, despite having to now find alternative modes of transport for 6 months.

However, Ranger was back in court yesterday to face a charge of rape following an alleged incident at a hotel in Jesmond in January earlier this year.

As to how he ended up in this mess is one thing but at least by pleading guilty to possessing a fake driving licence the Newcastle midfielder has put the lid on this embarrassing episode in his off-pitch life.

The midfielder is accused of allegedly using the false document as a kind of ID ‘to establish personal information’ about himself, back in December.

He is further accused of then using that allegedly false document to get a UK licence.

Newcastle’s only senior addition to the first team squad, Loic Remy, has now been rebailed up to November.

The latest high profile football player to be hauled before the courts is Cheick Tiote. A combination of players ever more powerful motors and/or extra problems caused by an increase in players/drivers from abroad, has helped exasperate problems.

The magistrates gave Ranger a 12 month community order with 9 months supervision and 120 hours community service.

Let’s hope they don’t expect him turning up too early…