Davie Weir
Well-Known Member
Derby County footballers Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett have pleaded guilty to drink-driving.
The pair were over the limit when their cars crashed on the A6 near Allestree in Derby after a team-building dinner.
At the city's magistrates' court they also admitted failing to stop at the scene of the crash on 24 September.
Lawrence and Bennett were ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, given a 12-month community order and banned from driving for two years.
Marianne Connally, prosecuting, said the players were driving home at about 23:30 BST after a night out at the Joiner's Arms pub.
Lawrence's car smashed into the back of Bennett's, before continuing across a roundabout and crashing into "street furniture", she added.
Image copyrightDERBYSHIRE POLICEImage captionThe club said the pair had been fined the maximum their contracts would allow
Ms Connally said a paramedic crew witnessed the crash "entirely by chance" and came to the aid of two passengers at the scene as the defendants fled.
Lawrence and Bennett, 23, returned to the scene about 45 minutes later and were arrested.
Derby captain Richard Keogh, who was a passenger in one of the cars, sustained a knee injury that has ruled him out for up to 15 months.
The court heard Welsh international Lawrence, 25, gave a breath test reading of 58mcg per 100ml and Bennett a reading of 64. The legal limit is 35mcg per 100ml.
Lucy Whitaker, defending Bennett, said he had been sick at the pub after being "pressured" to drink a Jagerbomb shot by team-mates.
He admitted he had drunk "some alcohol" on the night, but was driving "perfectly normally" on the way home when the crash occurred, Ms Bennett said.
'Extreme regret'
Bennett "panicked" and then left the scene, before returning after he received a call from Lawrence, the court heard.
Shaun Draycott, defending Lawrence, said references - including from Wales manager Ryan Giggs - suggested he was a "decent young man who behaved out of character".
Mr Draycott said Lawrence had become "quite dependent" on alcohol since the death of his mother, to whom he was very close.
Lawrence had made a "gross error of judgement" which is a "matter of extreme regret", he added.
Image copyrightPA MEDIAImage captionRichard Keogh has been ruled out for 15 months due to an injury sustained in the crash
Lawrence, of Duffield, and Bennett, of Whaley Thorns near Mansfield, were fined six weeks' wages by the club after the crash.
Derby County also condemned the players for bringing the club into disrepute following the "alcohol-related incident".
Lawrence signed for Derby from Leicester City for £5m in August 2017, while Bennett came through the Rams' youth system.
The pair were over the limit when their cars crashed on the A6 near Allestree in Derby after a team-building dinner.
At the city's magistrates' court they also admitted failing to stop at the scene of the crash on 24 September.
Lawrence and Bennett were ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, given a 12-month community order and banned from driving for two years.
Marianne Connally, prosecuting, said the players were driving home at about 23:30 BST after a night out at the Joiner's Arms pub.
Lawrence's car smashed into the back of Bennett's, before continuing across a roundabout and crashing into "street furniture", she added.
Image copyrightDERBYSHIRE POLICEImage captionThe club said the pair had been fined the maximum their contracts would allow
Ms Connally said a paramedic crew witnessed the crash "entirely by chance" and came to the aid of two passengers at the scene as the defendants fled.
Lawrence and Bennett, 23, returned to the scene about 45 minutes later and were arrested.
Derby captain Richard Keogh, who was a passenger in one of the cars, sustained a knee injury that has ruled him out for up to 15 months.
The court heard Welsh international Lawrence, 25, gave a breath test reading of 58mcg per 100ml and Bennett a reading of 64. The legal limit is 35mcg per 100ml.
Lucy Whitaker, defending Bennett, said he had been sick at the pub after being "pressured" to drink a Jagerbomb shot by team-mates.
He admitted he had drunk "some alcohol" on the night, but was driving "perfectly normally" on the way home when the crash occurred, Ms Bennett said.
'Extreme regret'
Bennett "panicked" and then left the scene, before returning after he received a call from Lawrence, the court heard.
Shaun Draycott, defending Lawrence, said references - including from Wales manager Ryan Giggs - suggested he was a "decent young man who behaved out of character".
Mr Draycott said Lawrence had become "quite dependent" on alcohol since the death of his mother, to whom he was very close.
Lawrence had made a "gross error of judgement" which is a "matter of extreme regret", he added.
Image copyrightPA MEDIAImage captionRichard Keogh has been ruled out for 15 months due to an injury sustained in the crash
Lawrence, of Duffield, and Bennett, of Whaley Thorns near Mansfield, were fined six weeks' wages by the club after the crash.
Derby County also condemned the players for bringing the club into disrepute following the "alcohol-related incident".
Lawrence signed for Derby from Leicester City for £5m in August 2017, while Bennett came through the Rams' youth system.
