Former England football and Manchester United Captain Wayne Rooney has been banned from driving for two years after pleading guilty to drink driving at Stockport Magistrates’ Court.
The car he was driving belonged to his female passenger, and was stopped in the early hours of the morning on 1st September.
Prosecuting, Kate Gaskell described to the court how a police officer on patrol that night noticed that the Volkswagen Beetle’s rear-tail light was broken. The officer was going to follow the vehicle, but Rooney pulled over instead and spoke to the officer.
Rooney, who already has three points on his driving license following a speeding offence in 2016, returned a positive breathalyser test. A subsequent test at the police station revealed 104mcg of alcohol per 100ml breath. This is nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit of 35mcg in England and Wales.
Rooney’s legal team asked District Judge John Temperley to take into account their client’s ongoing charity work and not issue a community order upon him, however the judge replied that he was “not convinced” that a large fine would “have the same effect”.
Mike Rainford, representing the Everton player, told the court that the club had already fined Ronney two weeks wages, reportedly in the region of £300,000.
Judge Temperley said: “This is a serious matter… you placed yourself and other road users at risk as a result of your poor judgement that night.
“I accept your remorse is genuine and that you are aware of the adverse effects the events of that night have had, not least on your family.”
Rooney was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 120 hours unpaid work in addition to the ban, as well as pay £85 prosecution costs and a £85 victim surcharge.
Issuing a statement following the hearing, the footballer said: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.
“I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.
“Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
