Star shamed over "moment of madness" (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Star shamed over "moment of madness"

8:30am Friday 16th February 2007 in Swindon By Gazette Reporter

Swindon Town star Andy Nicholas has described his drink-driving fiasco as a "moment of madness".

The 23-year-old defender was yesterday banned from getting behind the wheel for 20 months and fined £700 after admitting driving while more than twice the legal limit.

Swindon Magistrates' Court heard he how he crashed his black Saab convertible into a roundabout in Whitehill Way, near Asda in West Swindon.

Nicholas, of Lynmouth Road, Swindon, was arrested just before 5am on Wednesday, February 7.

Prosecuting, Kate Blackmore, said the footballer was caught when police on a routine patrol saw him and two other men by the smashed-up car.

She said: "The police parked and asked who was the driver and Mr Nicholas admitted it was himself.

"When speaking to him they could smell alcohol. They carried out a roadside breath test which he failed, telling police I know already I am over'."

Nicholas was taken back to Gablecross police station where a breath test showed he had 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 micrograms.

Defending, Terry McCarthy said Nicholas had been out with friends, understood to be teammates, on the night of the accident.

"They had met in Swindon and gone to Reading via taxi," he said.

"They agreed a fare and came back from Reading and they thought the fare would include dropping them off at home.

"When they got back to Swindon the taxi driver said I'm not taking you any further, get out'.

"On a stupid impulse he decided to drive the short distance home."

Chairwoman of the bench Angela Watts ordered Nicholas to pay a £700 fine and £60 in court costs.

He can reduce his ban from 20 months to 15 if he completes a drink-driving course.

Mrs Watts said: "This was a fairly high reading and we can't condone drink-driving in any circumstances."

Outside the court the former Liverpool left-back, who signed for the Robins in the summer of 2003, apologised for what he had done.

"I'm deeply ashamed and embarrassed by my actions," he said.

"The courts have banned and fined me accordingly. It was an inexcusable and naive moment of madness which has hurt many people.

"It is totally out of character and upbringing.

"I would like to apologise to all those people I have let down - the fans, the manager, my teammates and, most importantly, my family who are devastated.

"I'm only glad that nobody was injured by my impaired judgment.

"I am going to take my deserved punishment and continue to concentrate on winning promotion for the club."

Mike Bowden, a Swindon Town director, who accompanied Nicholas to court, said: "Clearly disciplinary action will be considered.

"It is only right to say that this will be kept confidential and will be between Mr Sturrock and Andy Nicholas."

Town manager Paul Sturrock said: "I'm very, very disappointed. Andy and I have had words about it.

"He will come under the internal discipline code which has been put into place.

"It's a heavy fine and a heavy fine from us.

"On Monday, when I discuss it with him, that will be the end of the matter. People can be killed under these circumstances. It will not be tolerated."

In December 2005, Swindon midfielder Michael Pook was banned from driving for 19 months and fined £300 for drink-driving.

Caught speeding In January 2005 Nicholas was given a one-month driving ban and fined £450 after being caught speeding.

Then 21, he was behind the wheel of his sporty MG ZR when he was clocked doing 69mph in a 40mph zone on Great Western Way on October 26, 2004.

It was the third time he had been caught speeding.

At the time he said: "I am not a typical footballer with a flashy, powerful car.

"I drive a small car and I was just shocked to be doing this speed.

"It was totally unintended, I was concentrating on what other cars were doing.

"It is distressing and embarrassing, and since then I have concentrated on my speed. I have learned my lesson and I do not want to find myself back in court."