Shropshire Star

Drink-drive footballer crashed into parked cars when three times over limit

Former Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland midfielder Darron Gibson admitted drink-driving.

Published
Last updated
Darron Gibson at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Republic of Ireland footballer Darron Gibson was three times over the drink-drive limit when he smashed his Mercedes 4×4 into parked cars on St Patrick’s Day, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old former Manchester United, Everton and Sunderland midfielder admitted drink-driving during a brief appearance at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Gibson, whose contract with Sunderland was terminated after he was charged, knocked a taxi’s wing mirror off in West Bolton but carried on and smashed into parked cars in Dovedale Road, Fulwell, Sunderland, as he tried to get to the club’s training ground.

Rebecca Laverick, prosecuting, said an initial roadside breath test recorded 105 microgrammes of alcohol per 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Mrs Laverick said: “The defendant was spoken to at the roadside, police officers established he was under the influence.

“He said he had had two drinks the night before.

“That didn’t coincide with the manner he was presenting in, his speech was slurred and he smelled of alcohol.”

Mrs Laverick said Gibson had a previous conviction for drink-driving and driving without due care and attention in September 2015.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.