Rooney admits drink driving
WAYNE Rooney has been banned from the road for two years after being caught drink-driving.
The former England striker, from Prestbury, was charged after being stopped while driving a black Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow at 2am on Friday, September 1.
The prosecution at Stockport Magistrates Court told how Rooney, 31, was stopped because he had a tail light out.
His breath reading was 104mg per 100ml of blood, with the legal limit being 80mg.
The defence said Rooney voluntarily stopped his car, but an aggravating factor is that there was a passenger in the vehicle with him.
The Volkswagen belonged to a woman he had met in the Bubble Room bar in Alderley Edge on a night out.
Rooney’s lawyer said the footballer admitted he has let himself, his family and his fans down.
The lawyer added that Rooney “wishes to express remorse” over the inci- dent.
He added: “He is a young man of many fine qualities.”
Everton are likely to fine him two weeks wages, the court heard.
District Judge Temper- ley handed Rooney a twoyear driving ban, 100 hours unpaid work, £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
The judge said: “I accept your remorse is genuine. I accept the effects this has had in you and your family.”
In a statement following the sentencing, Rooney 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.”