Frank Lampard cleared despite being caught driving with mobile phone and coffee | Celebrity News | Showbiz & TV

The 43-year-old was accused of the offence after a vigilante cyclist filmed him at the wheel. The former Chelsea and Derby manager denied the charge and was due to appear before a magistrates court yesterday.

But he was informed last week that the Crown Prosecution Service had dropped the case because they could not prove he was driving.

It was yet another victory for celebrity lawyer Nick Freeman whose previous clients include comedian Jimmy Carr, broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson and David Beckham.

Lampard was caught on camera by cyclist Mike van Erp while in his £250,000 Mercedes G wagon in South Kensington, west London, last April.

The clip showed him with a phone in one hand and cup of coffee in the other.

However, Mr Freeman said the prosecution would have to prove Mr Lampard was driving and using the phone when the images were taken.

The lawyer said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has concluded there was insufficient evidence. It came after we served a statement from a passenger in the car.

“They would have had to prove he was driving, he was using his mobile phone, that he was using it for an interactive purpose.

“That would have needed to have been beyond reasonable doubt. He pleaded not guilty and they dropped the case, so he’s been found not guilty.” A

CPS spokesman said: “After examining a file of evidence submitted by the Metropolitan Police Service, we concluded, in accordance with our legal test, that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Legal experts said the key factor in dropping the prosecution was there was no evidence Mr Lampard was using the phone – even though the car appeared to be moving.

The case had been due before City of London magistrates court with Lampard facing a punishment of six penalty points and a £200 fine.

He racked up 648 appearances and 211 goals for Chelsea as well as playing 106 times for England, scoring 29 goals. After ending his playing career, he took charge of Derby County before taking the Chelsea manager’s job in 2019. He was sacked last January.

With a camera mounted on his helmet, Mr Van Erp, known on Twitter as CyclingMikey, has filmed more than 350 motorists breaking traffic laws.

His celebrity tally includes Hollywood director Guy Ritchie and former boxing champion Chris Eubank. They were both convicted.