Wayne Rooney has apologised for letting his family down "very badly" after pleading guilty to drink-driving while his pregnant wife was on holiday .
The Everton striker, 31, has been banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work.
He was nearly three times over the limit when he was pulled over by police at 2.10am on 1 September.
The black Volkwagen Beetle that was stopped in Wilmslow, Cheshire, belonged to lettings agent Laura Simpson.
Rooney's wife, Coleen, was away with the couple's three sons when he was arrested.
When he was stopped he was found to have 104 microgrammes of alcohol in every 100ml of his breath. The limit is 35 microgrammes.
Rooney's legal team had asked the judge at Stockport Magistrates' Court to consider not imposing a community order because of the charity work he undertakes.
But District Judge John Temperley said he was "not convinced" that imposing a large fine "would have the same effect".
He said: "This was a serious offence that you admitted. You were driving a motor vehicle nearly three times the limit.
"You were carrying a passenger, which is an aggravating factor."
The judge added: "You are a young man with no similar previous convictions.
"I have read a bundle of character references handed in on your behalf and they speak very highly of you as a person. I accept your remorse is genuine."
The Liverpool-born player, whose wife is expecting their fourth child, retired from international football in August having captained the Three Lions since 2014.
His solicitor Michael Rainford said in court: "Wayne Rooney wishes to express his genuine remorse for what was a terrible mistake, a terrible error of judgement on his part that evening.
He realises he has not only let himself down very badly but his family."
In a statement issued after his guilty plea, tweeted out to his Twitter followers, he said he was sorry.
He said: "Following today's court hearing I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgement 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."
Rooney, from Prestbury, Cheshire, rejoined boyhood club Everton this summer after 13 years at Manchester United but returned to Old Trafford on Sunday for a match his team lost 4-0.
FOLLOW US ON:
Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)
WHEN ON WEB VIEW, SEE OUR TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BAR FOR LIVE STREAM NEWS CHANNELS (GLOBAL AND NIGERIAN )
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
FOLLOW US ON:
> The Forefront on Twitter
>BBM Channel: C002CB006 {WELCOME TO THE FOREFRONT
>{Instagram: the_forefront_nigeria }
Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)
Share this post now with others on social media. Use media options below.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer!!! Opinions expressed in comments do not represent THE FOREFRONT MEDIA NG's views. All participants are entitled to their opinions. Thank you!!!
Advertise on the Forefront: For advert placement in the blog or advert posts like news updates, reach +2348124620827 [WhatsApp].
Copyright 2023 The Forefront Media Ng. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from The Forefront Media Ng