Footballer Joelinton fined more than half a week’s wages for drink driving

Newcastle United footballer Joelinton has been fined nearly £30,000 – more than half a week’s wages – after admitting drink driving.

The Premier League midfielder, 26, was stopped by police in Newcastle at around 1.20am on 12 January.

The Brazilian failed a breath test, which showed he had 43mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath when the legal limit is 35mg.

District Judge Paul Currer fined him £29,000 and banned him from driving for 12 months, which will be reduced to nine months if he completes a rehabilitation course.

The judge calculated the fine on his weekly wage, which is £43,000.

He must also pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 costs.

Charged as Joelinton Cassio, and living in Ponteland, Northumberland, he wore a dark suit, white shirt and black tie and was accompanied to Newcastle Magistrates’ Court by a club security official.

Prosecuting, Jonathan Stirland, said officers saw his car driving at speed near the football ground, and asked him to stop – to which Joelinton obliged, telling them he drank two glasses of wine earlier in the evening.

Defending, Geoffrey Forester added: “He will be subject of disciplinary proceedings within the club once this process has concluded.”

Judge Currer told the court he took the footballer’s early guilty plea, and his compliance with police, into consideration, adding he was convinced the player was remorseful.

He did however warn Joelinton that drink driving was a serious offence.

He told the player: “What is clear to me is you accept you have made a grave mistake and a significant error of judgment.

“You placed yourself in real jeopardy, and it could have had disastrous consequences for the lives of others.

“I sincerely hope you have learned from this mistake, and we don’t see you in this court again.”

Joelinton’s court appearance came just 48 hours after scoring his team’s winning goal against Southampton in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.