Facing jail, soccer star three times over drink-drive limit
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FORMER Manchester United player Darron Gibson faces jail after smashing his luxury vehicle into several parked cars while three times over the drink-drive limit on St Patrick’s Day.
Gibson, 30, who earned £35,000-a-week before his current contract was ended by Sunderland, was yesterday warned prison is possible after pleading guilty to his second drink-driving offence in three years.
Derry-born Gibson was heard slurring his words after smashing into several cars while driving through Sunderland in his Mercedes 4X4 in a manner that “shocked and frightened” other motorists.
A taxi driver was that concerned about the ex-Republic of Ireland international’s actions that he followed him and reported Gibson’s number plate to police. Another woman was so convinced he was going to hit her that she was forced to pull over.
In his previous offence in 2015, Gibson ploughed into three cyclists who had stopped at the side of the road.
His latest offence, on March 17, came after a troubled season in which he was forced to apologise for a drunken online rant about team-mates and also quizzed about his drinking habits by the club.
Rebecca Laverick, prosecuting, told South Tyneside Magistrates Court that Gibson said to police at the scene he had drunk two drinks the previous night, but his speech was slurred and he smelt of alcohol. He was found to have 95mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.
Henry Blackshaw, mitigating, said: “He is receiving treatment for medical issues which explain his drinking.”
Magistrate David Randall said there were “factors in the case” which “aggravate the offending into a custody band”.
The case was adjourned until May 25 at the same court.
Ashen-faced Gibson declined to comment when he left the court with wife Danielle.