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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Former England star Ray Wilkins sentenced for drink-driving | Former England star Ray Wilkins sentenced for drink-driving |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Former England footballer Ray Wilkins has been given a 10-week suspended jail sentence for drinking and driving. | Former England footballer Ray Wilkins has been given a 10-week suspended jail sentence for drinking and driving. |
| Wilkins, who pleaded guilty, was seen in his Mercedes in the middle of a bus lane on the A4 in London on 1 July. | Wilkins, who pleaded guilty, was seen in his Mercedes in the middle of a bus lane on the A4 in London on 1 July. |
| Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard he also struck a kerb and was seen drinking alcohol from a bottle while driving, before attempting a U-turn. | Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard he also struck a kerb and was seen drinking alcohol from a bottle while driving, before attempting a U-turn. |
| Wilkins, 59, who told the court he was an alcoholic, was nearly three times over the legal limit. | Wilkins, 59, who told the court he was an alcoholic, was nearly three times over the legal limit. |
| 'Eyes glazed' | 'Eyes glazed' |
| The court was told a passer-by took his keys from the car to prevent an accident from happening. | The court was told a passer-by took his keys from the car to prevent an accident from happening. |
| A police car was flagged down and the officer noticed Wilkins' eyes were "glazed, he was unsteady on his feet and there was a smell of alcohol coming from him". | A police car was flagged down and the officer noticed Wilkins' eyes were "glazed, he was unsteady on his feet and there was a smell of alcohol coming from him". |
| Wilkins, of Cobham, Surrey, is currently undergoing a residential rehabilitation course at the Priory Hospital in Woking, the court heard. | Wilkins, of Cobham, Surrey, is currently undergoing a residential rehabilitation course at the Priory Hospital in Woking, the court heard. |
| The former Chelsea and Manchester United star also has two previous convictions for drinking and driving. | The former Chelsea and Manchester United star also has two previous convictions for drinking and driving. |
| 'I am an addict' | 'I am an addict' |
| His lawyer Sarah-Kate McIntyre said her client was "ashamed and embarrassed" to be in the dock. | His lawyer Sarah-Kate McIntyre said her client was "ashamed and embarrassed" to be in the dock. |
| Wilkins told District Judge Tim Boswell he recognised that "abstinence is the only way I can control this situation". | Wilkins told District Judge Tim Boswell he recognised that "abstinence is the only way I can control this situation". |
| Sentencing the former footballer, the judge said he appreciated that Wilkins had a "genuine desire to change". | Sentencing the former footballer, the judge said he appreciated that Wilkins had a "genuine desire to change". |
| In addition to the suspended sentence, he gave Wilkins a four-year driving ban and ordered him to perform 140 hours of community service. | In addition to the suspended sentence, he gave Wilkins a four-year driving ban and ordered him to perform 140 hours of community service. |
| Outside court, Wilkins said: "I will be judged on the crime I have committed and that is 100% (right). | Outside court, Wilkins said: "I will be judged on the crime I have committed and that is 100% (right). |
| "I only ask I will not be judged on the alcohol problem I have. I am an addict." | "I only ask I will not be judged on the alcohol problem I have. I am an addict." |
| Wilkins played 84 times for England, including at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups in Spain and Mexico. |