October 28, 2013, 2:50 PM
NEWCASTLE, England — Newcastle midfielder Cheick Tiote has been given a suspended jail sentence after admitting to possessing a fake driving license.
The Ivory Coast international was handed a seven-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday.
Tiote bought a fake Belgian license when travelling through Belgium for 15,000 euros ($20,700) and then attempted to swap the forgery for a full British license.
Judge James Goss told Tiote that he would have to complete 180 hours on unpaid work.
Goss says “using your considerable talent, you will be able to assist others in the community by encouraging them and passing on your skills that way.”