Ireland star Gibson faces jail for drink driving crash

REPUBLIC of Ireland soccer player Darron Gibson faces jail after admitting a second drink-drive charge in less than three years.

The 30-year-old, from Derry, was three times over the limit when he smashed his Mercedes 4x4 into parked cars on St Patrick’s Day, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, outside Newcastle, was told.

The incident in Sunderland followed a serious collision in 2015 when his car hit three cyclists who were fixing a wheel on the pavement.

Gibson, who has played for Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland, knocked a taxi’s wing mirror off in West Boldon in the latest incident, but carried on and smashed into parked cars in Dovedale Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, as he drove to the club’s training ground. His grey 4x4 ended up on the pavement and the road was strewn with debris.

Chairman of the bench David Randall said: ‘Mr Gibson, this is the second offence in less than three years... We feel this aggravates it into the custody band.’

Gibson – currently without a club –will be sentenced on May 25 after medical reports are provided.

Sunderland terminated his contract after the latest crash. Gibson, of Hale, Cheshire, was handed an interim disqualification and granted unconditional bail ahead of sentence. He was driven away with his wife and parents in a people carrier and did not speak to reporters.