Durham Cricketer Given Second Driving Ban

15 August 2012, 14:42 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

England cricketer Liam Plunkett has been banned from driving for a second time after he was caught behind wheel while more than twice over the legal limit in Durham.

The 27-year-old Durham fast bowler was driving to an all-night garage for food, having returned home from an evening out with friends, when he was stopped.

He was arrested at around 3.10am on July 28th after he was stopped on the A690 Leazes Bowl in his Jaguar XJ.

His reading was 74mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the limit is 35mg.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, said Plunkett was stopped because his headlights were not on, and officers smelled alcohol on him. 

Magistrates were told Plunkett was convicted for drink driving in February 2007 and was banned for 20 months.

Mark Haslam, defending, said:
"His decision to drive was completely unjustified and completely illogical.''

Plunkett will be fined £1,000 and must pay £100 costs.

He was banned from driving for 40 months, which will be reduced to 30 months if he completes a drink driving awareness course.

Plunkett, originally from Middlesbrough, has played in nine Tests and 29 One Day Internationals.