A Norwich City footballer has been convicted of drink driving after drunkenly crashing his Range Rover into a parked car.
Shane Duffy, 32, of Norwich Common, Wymondham, Norfolk, admitted an offence of driving with excess alcohol when he appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 2nd July 2024.
This is an offence contrary to section 5(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and has a maximum penalty of 26 weeks' custody and/or a fine at level 5 (unlimited) on summary conviction.
The court heard that the Republic of Ireland international collided with a stationary Ford Fiesta on Norwich Road in the village of Hethersett on the evening of Monday, 6th May 2024.
Officers attending the collision found the 32-year-old close to his damaged £123,000 black Range Rover Autobiography. He admitted he was under the influence of drink, which was confirmed by a positive roadside breath test.
Duffy was arrested and taken to the police station, where he subsequently provided an evidential specimen containing 102 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the prescribed limit being 35 microgrammes.
Such a reading would give a sentencing starting point of a medium level community order, but the offence is aggravated by the collision and the fact Duffy has a relevant previous conviction dating back to 2013.
Chris Brown, mitigating, said: "He apologises to all those involved, anyone affected by his behaviour and the wider community.
"His remorse and apology is real. He offers no excuses and recognises things need to change."
Mr Brown highlighted that his client had cooperated fully with the police and immediately reimbursed the owner of the Fiesta for the damage caused.
Having considered the circumstances, Magistrates were of the opinion that Duffy's offence was serious enough to cross the community threshold.
However, on this occasion they decided it would be more appropriate to impose a Band D fine instead.
Duffy was fined £25,000 (which would indicate his weekly income is £10,000).
He was also ordered to pay £2,000 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
The Canaries' number 24 was also disqualified from driving for 36 months.
Norwich City FC has confirmed it will now undertake its own disciplinary procedure.
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