Carroll fined for filming protest while driving

Andy Carroll, who now plays for Dagenham and Redbridge, was caught on his phone while driving in Epping

Former England striker Andy Carroll has been fined after filming an anti-immigration protest while driving.

The ex-Liverpool, West Ham and Newcastle United footballer was seen on his phone by police in Epping, Essex, on 20 July.

Hundreds of people were protesting outside The Bell Hotel after an asylum seeker living there was charged with - and later jailed for - sexual offences.

Carroll, 36, pleaded guilty to the offence at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay £1,052 in a fine, costs and surcharge on Friday.

Court documents showed he was also given six points on his driving licence.

The footballer plays for National League South side Dagenham and Redbridge, having scored more than 100 goals and earned nine England caps during his career.

Carroll argued protest action had made him late to meet a friend, court records showed

Carroll was spotted by a police officer using his mobile phone behind the wheel of his Range Rover in High Road, Epping.

"He says he was filming the Epping protests," the court records stated.

However, Carroll's lawyers argued this was so he could prove to a friend why he was running late.

They claimed he would suffer exceptional hardship if he lost his driving licence, saying he needed to drive a family member to and from hospital for treatment.

Magistrates accepted the argument and allowed Carroll, from Theydon Bois, to keep his licence.

They fined him £666 and ordered a further £386 be paid to the court.