MAY 10, 2002

Ashley in the clear

FORMER Formula 1 driver Ian Ashley was arrested in January when trying to board an airplane to the United States with tools in his briefcase and a pocketknife in his sock.

The case came up at Uxbridge Magistrates Court this week and was dismissed by the court after Ashley explained that he had forgotten about the tools in his briefcase and he had put the pocketknife in his sock because he wanted it with him in America. Ashley admitted that it was "stupid" and "an embarrassing mistake".

Ashley now works as a racing instructor in the United States.