The Sunderland midfielder, who was represented by celebrity barrister Nick Freeman, had been returning home from a holiday on July 8 last year when the incident occurred on the A179.

Mr Freeman has been dubbed Mr Loophole for his ability to help motorists escape convictions.

The 36-year-old Trinidad & Tobago player was seen by a police officer in an unmarked car on the A66 near Middlesbrough.

The officer radioed a colleague ahead to check Yorke's speed and the footballer was pulled over.

Mr Freeman told magistrates in Hartlepool that his client had disagreed with the initial speed suggested by the officer.

He said a disagreement over this at the roadside meant that Yorke had not signed the documentation at the time.

However, he added that the footballer accepted he had been travelling faster than the road's 115km/h speed limit and asked the court to take into consideration his guilty plea for the 140km/h charge.

Yorke was given three penalty points on his licence and ordered to pay £150 costs and a £150 fine.

Noting that he now had a total of nine points on his licence, District Judge Stephen Earl warned the player that a further driving offence could mean the loss of his licence.

Speaking outside Hartlepool Magistrates' Court, Mr Freeman, standing next to Yorke, said: "Dwight had always accepted he was speeding. He accepted that to the officers at the time. The only issue was the speed that he was travelling and that was clearly resolved today.

"He pleaded guilty to doing 85mph and he always accepted that."

Mr Freeman has represented several high-profile clients on driving charges including Sir Alex Ferguson, David Beckham, snooker star Ronnie O'Sullivan and Jeremy Clarkson.

His "Mr Loophole" nickname derives from his ability to find technicalities in the law for the benefit of his clients.

Yorke has the nickname "The Smiling Assassin" for his cheerful countenance on the pitch and goal-scoring abilities.