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Zak Hardaker: Wigan Warriors player admits drink-driving Zak Hardaker: Wigan Warriors player banned for drink-driving
(about 3 hours later)
England and Wigan Warriors rugby league player Zak Hardaker has pleaded guilty to drink-driving. Rugby league player Zak Hardaker has been banned after admitting being more than twice the drink-drive limit.
The 26-year-old was arrested in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, on 26 September and was charged later that day. Hardaker made an "amateurish attempt" to avoid police by driving down a cul-de-sac and running away in September, Leeds Magistrates' Court heard.
Leeds Magistrates' Court heard he attempted to avoid police officers by taking his car down a cul-de-sac and running away on foot. The 26-year-old was spotted driving erratically having drunk "two gins and six pints" and was arrested at his house in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
Hardaker, of Pontefract, was given a 20-month ban from driving. The England and Wigan Warriors player was given a 20-month driving ban.
The player, who is nearing the end of a 14-month ban from rugby for cocaine use, also received a £1,810 fine. Hardaker, who is nearing the end of a 14-month playing ban for cocaine use, also received a £1,810 fine.
Latest news and stories from Yorkshire The court heard officers spotted him driving erratically just after midnight on 26 September.
The court heard officers later visited his home, with Hardaker claiming not to have been the driver or the owner of the Ford Fiesta. Prosecutors told how Hardaker, who had been to a pub earlier in the evening, was seen to leaving his Ford Fiesta via the driver's side and, along with a passenger, run away from the police.
The full-back, who joined Wigan in May, was found to be at more than twice the drink drive limit. He told officers he had two gins and six pints. Officers went to the rugby league player's home, where he initially denied he had been driving it at the time of the offence.
When breathalysed, Hardaker gave a reading of 74 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35, the court heard. The court was told that, upon being taken to a police station, Hardaker "came to his senses" and admitted his offence.
District Judge Paul Currer, sentencing, told the defendant: "You indulged in stupidity in asserting that you were not the driver and that it was not your car."
He added that the offence, which took place at 00:15 BST, was aggravated by the fact that Hardaker had a passenger with him.
Nick Hammond, defending, told how the conviction could have a "devastating effect" on the sportsman's career.Nick Hammond, defending, told how the conviction could have a "devastating effect" on the sportsman's career.
His bid to run away was a "very amateurish attempt to avoid the attentions of the police", he added. His bid to run away was a "very amateurish attempt to avoid the attentions of the police", he said.
At the time, his club said in a statement: "The player is co-operating with the police investigation. Wigan Warriors will allow the legal process to take its course."
His side faces Warrington Wolves in Super League's Grand Final on Saturday.