Newcastle United star Joelinton has been fined £29,000 and banned from the roads for 12 months after admitting drink-driving.
The Brazilian midfielder told police he'd had two glasses of wine before getting behind the wheel of his 2022-plate Mercedes G wagon in the early hours of January 12 this year. Officers spotted the 26-year-old's vehicle either "speeding or going too fast for the road" as he travelled along Barrack Road, near St James' Park, in Newcastle, a court heard.
They followed the footballer onto the Central Motorway before pulling him over and asking him if he'd consumed any alcohol. Because Joelinton admitted to having drunk wine, he was breathalysed at the roadside, prosecutors said.
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The star, of Ponteland, was arrested after failing the test and was taken to Forth Banks Police Station, where he gave a reading of 43mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when the legal limit is just 35mcg.
Joelinton, who earns £43,000 a week at Newcastle United, has now been fined £29,000 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge after he pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol at Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday. He was also banned from the roads for 12 months.
Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said officers were in an unmarked police car on Barrack Road at around 1am on January 12 this year when their attention was drawn to a black Mercedes being driven by Joelinton. Mr Stirland continued: “The sergeant formed the view that the car was speeding or going too fast for the road. It caused him [the sergeant] to turn his vehicle around and follow the Mercedes on to the Central Motorway.
“He requested the vehicle to stop. The driver complied. While in a safe space, the officer spoke to the driver, who is the defendant before you today.”
The court heard that Joelinton fully cooperated with the officers and admitted that he had drunk two glasses of wine earlier in the evening. Mr Stirland said that, because of his admission of alcohol consumption, he was breathalysed at the roadside. He failed the test and was subsequently arrested.
Joelinton, who has no past convictions, was taken to Forth Banks Police Station, where he gave a reading of 43mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Geoffrey Forrester, defending, confirmed that Joelinton earns £43,000 a week at Newcastle United. He added: “He was utterly calm and compliant at the scene and at the police station. He’s apologised to all concerned and, if he could turn back the clock, he would.”
Mr Forrester told the court that Joelinton genuinely thought he was under the limit and fit to drive. He will also be subject to disciplinary proceedings within the club once this court process has concluded.
District Judge Paul Currer told Joelinton that he “sincerely hopes” he has learned from his mistake, adding: “This offending could, potentially, have had disastrous consequences for the lives of others, as well as yourself.”
District Judge Currer continued: “This type of offence is always regarded seriously by the court. That’s because, when you drove your car while over the prescribed limit, you were not in a position to control it properly or react as you normally would to any dangers or obstacles you may have encountered.
“Therefore, you presented a risk to other people who were using the road at the same time as you. You also risked your own safety as you too may have been injured.”
The judge said he accepted Joelinton was genuinely remorseful, had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had cooperated with the police.
The midfielder was banned from driving for 12 months but was offered the drink-drivers' rehabilitation course, which, if completed, will reduce his disqualification by 12 weeks. Joelinton's court appearance came less than 48 hours after he scored the only goal in the Magpies' 1-0 over Southampton in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.
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