Chelsea’s Danny Drinkwater Banned For 20 Months For Drunk Driving

[Courtesy]

Chelsea footballer Danny Drinkwater has been banned from driving after ploughing his Range Rover through a wall while twice the legal drink-drive limit.

The 29-year-old and two female passengers were treated for minor injuries after the crash in Mere, Cheshire, on 8 April.

Stockport Magistrates’ Court heard he caused £50,000 of damage to the car.

Drinkwater admitted drink-driving and was banned for 20 months.

Robin Sellars, defending, said Drinkwater was “fully compliant” with police and said he had been to a private function, with a friend expected to drive him home.

However, his friend was unable to do so and Drinkwater decided to drive himself to his home in Nether Alderley, Cheshire.

Mr Sellars added: “He only had himself to blame. He understands he’s done wrong.

“He instructs me he will be employing a driver.”

Mr Sellars said Drinkwater had no previous convictions and asked for him to be punished with a fine rather than community service.

But District Judge Mark Hadfield rejected this and sentenced him to a 12-month community order with 70 hours’ community service.

The former Manchester United trainee was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

Mr Hadfield said: “You knew when you got behind the wheel of that vehicle you should not have been driving.”

The court heard he suffered a graze to his forehead when his car went through a wall in Ashley Road near to Tatton Park country house.

Prosecutor Subi Chowdhury said Drinkwater himself called emergency services after the crash at about 00:30 BST and admitted drinking alcohol to police officers.

He gave a reading at Middlewich Police station of 87 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 milliliters of breath, with the legal limit being 35 microgrammes.

Email your news TIPS to Editor@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254707482874. You can also find us on Telegram through www.t.me/kahawatungu