Footballer gets three-year ban over drink-driving

A Norwich City and Ireland international footballer has been banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay more than £27,000 after admitting a drink-drive charge following a two-vehicle crash.

Shane Duffy, 32, of Norwich Common, Wymondham, pleaded guilty at Norwich Magistrates' Court to driving a motor vehicle above the alcohol limit, after he was arrested in Hethersett, near Norwich, on 6 May.

The court heard he had hit a stationary car and then went to a nearby house to ask if he could sit and wait for the police.

Magistrates were told he had a previous similar conviction nine years ago. Duffy was also ordered to pay a £25,000 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Norfolk Police had said no-one was injured in the crash and that Mr Duffy "provided an evidential breath sample of 102mcg".

The legal limit is 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath.

Duffy's solicitor, Chris Brown, issued an apology on his client's behalf.

Mr Brown told the court that “given [Duffy's] role as a pro-sportsman", some people will believe he has a level of "privilege" and "arrogance" but that was not the case due to "unusual factors".

He went on to say Duffy made an immediate payout to the person whose car he hit “rather than leave it in the hands of the insurers” when he found out they used it to take their children to school.

Mr Brown also told magistrates the international player would "reflect on his drinking".

In a statement, Norwich City said it would launch internal disciplinary proceedings now the court case has ended.

It said the club "notes today’s decision at Norwich Magistrates' Court regarding one of its first team players, Shane Duffy".

Duffy, who also previously played for Celtic and enjoyed a long stint at Brighton & Hove Albion, joined Championship side Norwich last summer after his contract ended at Fulham.

The defender has also been recently picked for the Republic of Ireland's squad, after missing out on friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland earlier this season due to injury.

He has more than 50 international caps.

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