Spurs and England footballer David Bentley pleads guilty to drink-driving
SPURS and England midfielder David Bentley has been banned for a year after admitting drink-driving. The 25-year-old Premier League ace was also fined �500 after smashing his Porsche 911 into a lamppost after a boozy night out. The crash happened in
SPURS and England midfielder David Bentley has been banned for a year after admitting drink-driving.
The Premier League ace was also fined �500 after smashing his Porsche 911 into a lamppost after a boozy night out.
The crash happened in Judges Hill, Northaw, in the early hours of Thursday, August 13 - just days before the start of the new season.
Bentley, who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, appeared at Central Herts Magistrates' Court in St Albans this morning (Friday), where he pleaded guilty to drink-driving in a 10-minute hearing.
Janet Brooks, prosecuting, told the court Tottenham Hotspur player Bentley had been at a gig with friends that night.
“He parked his car at Potters Bar railway station and was going to get a cab back. But he decided to drive home as he didn’t want to leave the car in the car park.”
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The former Arsenal and Blackburn Rovers star lost control in Judges Hill and careered into a lamppost.
Ms Brooks said as police arrived, he was trying to move the car out of the road because it was in a dangerous position.
“He immediately told police he had had too much to drink. He was arrested and taken into custody.”
Adam Davis, mitigating, said his client was a young lad of exemplary character.
But on that night, having drunk four pints and some shots, he made a “foolish” choice to drive home.
Mr Davis said: “He made a foolish decision, and he accepts that that decision was foolish.
“He is willing to learn from his mistake.”
Mr Davis said Bentley had “lost a lot” following the accident. He lost a contract with sportswear firm Puma, and was fined two weeks’ wages by Tottenham.
He added: “The Press reaction has been very upsetting for him and his family. He has a pregnant girlfriend, who is due in five weeks.
“Being disqualified will have a serious effect on their lives.”
As well as the minimum term driving ban and fine, Bentley, of The Ridgeway, Cuffley, was also ordered by magistrates to pay �100 costs.
