'Is this necessary? The owner is my mate and a top Manchester footballer'

A 'cheeky devil' driver whose luxury sportscar was seized tried to dodge punishment by telling cops the car belonged to a 'top Manchester footballer'.

Police stopped the Audi RS3 on Ashton Old Road and reported the driver after he was spotted driving with no insurance.

But the driver reportedly asked them if the punishment was 'really necessary' because the owner was 'his mate' before bragging that he was a sports star.

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In a tweet, Greater Manchester Police traffic officers said the driver - who they branded a 'cheeky devil' said: "Is this necessary? The owner is my mate and a top Manchester footballer."

But the officers were having none of it, and reportedly replied: "Yes it is, good for him, we prefer F1 anyway thanks."

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