Nancy Davies Head of the Crown Court Department at Malletts Solicitors has represented former Norwich City, Striker Leon McKenzie in Northampton Crown Court for six counts of perverting the course of justice

Mr McKenzie who pleaded guilty to causing to be sent letters to Northamptonshire Police to avoid six speeding fines was yesterday handed down a six month custodial sentence and eighteen month driving ban.

Mr McKenzie who was suffering from "deep depression" at the time he committed the offences has said "I broke the law six times in that two year period which I am now very aware of. I am truly sorry for these offences that I committed … I ask anyone with depression to speak out to someone before you start making mistakes like I did".

Former Championship Boxer Duke McKenzie MBE who stood as a character witness for Mr McKenzie told the court how he too had suffered from depression.

He said "People think we live these glamorous lifestyles but were under the same pressure". Clarke Carlise, Chairman of the PFA said that Mr McKenzie’s story has led him to seeking help for his own depression.

Mr McKenzie said "anyone reading this, I hope you take note and learn by my mistakes especially if you are in a bad place with depression". Nancy Davies of Malletts Solicitors commented "Mr McKenzie's early guilty plea, his character references, genuine remorse and a number of other mitigating factors helped to substantially reduce the sentence that Mr McKenzie could otherwise have received. Mr McKenzie ought to be commended for speaking publically about his depression".

Mr McKenzie's family has said that "Leon's defence team had been fantastic and that it may have been the best anyone could have hoped for".

For further information about this case please email:
nancydavies@malletts.com

February 2012

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Former Norwich striker Leon McKenzie in Crown Court Case

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