'Lorry thief' Eubank makes a U-turn

Car-mad Chris Eubank performed a courtroom U-turn yesterday when he realised a guilty plea to driving charges could earn him a ban.

The 38-year-old ex-boxer at first admitted commandeering a beer lorry which was blocking a one-way street, then driving it on to the kerb to allow traffic to pass.

But, as magistrates were deciding his fate, the former world middleweight champion changed his mind when he realised he faced a 12-month ban.

The court in Brighton allowed him to withdraw his guilty plea and adjourned his case for two weeks.

Outside, a defiant Eubank said he had tried to 'police the community' and was just being a gentleman when he moved the truck from a narrow street near Brighton station last month.

'I didn't think I was doing wrong. The delivery drivers are the ones who should be in court,' he added. Eubank, who lives in Hove and holds a heavy goods vehicle licence, said he moved the lorry because it was making him late taking his children to school in his new car - a giant US Hummer military vehicle. He climbed behind the wheel of the Volvo truck and drove off, clipping a 'give way' sign and stopping nearby.

He initially admitted aggravated vehicle-taking and having no insurance but Eubank changed his mind after taking legal advice.

Magistrates struck out the conviction and adjourned the case until March 30.