Player fined for drink-driving at ‘idiotic’ speed

Premier League footballer Oli McBurnie has been fined £28,500 for drink-driving after a police officer saw him reaching an “idiotic” speed.

The 24-year-old Scotland and Sheffield United striker appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court where he admitted the charge and was banned from the road for 12 months.

Police stopped the £17.5 million footballer near his home in Garforth, Leeds, at 1.16am on October 19 last year, and he was found to have 53mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, when the legal limit is 35mg.

The footballer was stopped in his black Audi R8 after an officer saw him visit a garage and speed away.

Philip Morris, prosecuting, said: “He drove off at considerable speed to the consternation of (the officer) who was heard to describe his speed as ‘idiotic’.”

John Dye, defending, said: “He was not thinking straight and he apologises for that and is genuinely sorry for the trouble he had caused.”

Mr Dye said his client also faced being fined by his club.

District Judge Michael Fanning said his disqualification of 16 months would be reduced to a year if he completed a driver rehabilitation course.