11:01am Friday 28th December 2007
By Amanda Smith
HE may be banned from driving, but that hasn't stopped boxer Amir Khan from splashing out on a new car.
The 21-year-old has bought a £58,000 Range Rover Sport V8 as a Christmas present for himself.
It is capable of speeds of up to 140mph and it is believed he is spending an extra £5,000 to have it completely white inside and out.
The unbeaten boxer will take delivery of the vehicle in 2008 once his six-month ban expires in April.
He was found guilty at Bolton Crown Court in October of driving without due care and attention.
The Commonwealth lightweight champion was driving his BMW 6 series convertible at 47 mph in Bradshawgate, Bolton, and knocked down pedestrian Geoffrey Hatton.
Amir bought his new car from Stratstone Land Rover in Bury, the dealer from which he bought his first Range Rover, the car he learned to drive in.
Amir's father, Shah Khan, said: "He wants it to look attractive and white is the colour he has chosen.
"He wants it to be a bit different from other cars, but he isn't having it souped-up.
"I don't think this is a big deal. He has sold his other car and will need a new one when he gets his licence back."
He passed his test first time in a Renault Megane after about 40 lessons from Bury-based ADI Driving Force.
His first car was a silver Range Rover Vogue, worth £59,000 which was customised with a multimedia system and rear DVD display.
The 6400 watt sound system was so loud that if the volume was turned up to the maximum level it would smash the windows. It also had 22 inch spinning alloy wheels which he had shipped in from Dubai.
Amir is to appear at Rochdale Magistrates' Court on January 7 for the start of a trial.
He is accused of driving at 140mph on the M62 last New Year's Eve.
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