After pleading guilty to drunk driving, the Newcastle United footballer Joelinton was banned from driving for a year and fined £31,085.
On January 12, police stopped the 26-year-old Premier League midfielder after spotting his Mercedes G wagon with the license plate 2022 on Ponteland Road in Newcastle at approximately 1:00 a.m.
The Brazilian star was fined less than a week’s salary for driving under the influence.
A breath test revealed that he had 43 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath, although the legal limit is 35 mg.
Joelinton Cássio Apolinário de Lira of Ponteland was given a 12-month driving suspension and a £31,085 fine after pleading guilty to drunk driving at the Magistrates court in Newcastle.
The district judge imposed a £29,000 fine and a one-year driving prohibition.
District Judge Paul Currer imposed a £29,000 fine and a 12-month driving restriction, which will be reduced to nine months if the defendant completes a rehabilitation program.
The judge estimated the fine based on evidence indicating the defendant’s weekly income was £43,000.
In addition, the player must pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in fees.
Prosecutor Jonathan Stirland told the court that cops observed the defendant’s automobile speeding near the football field and asked the driver to halt.
Joelinton was cooperative with law enforcement and admitted to drinking two glasses of wine earlier in the evening.
The judge assessed the fine based on evidence indicating the defendant earned £43,000 per week.
He failed a roadside breathalyzer, which registered 50 milligrams per 100 ml of alcohol.
The court heard that his roadside breath test registered 50mg per 100ml, which decreased to 43mg in one of two subsequent tests at Forth Banks police station.
Geoffrey Forrester, representing the defense, stated, “He will be subject to disciplinary proceedings within the club once this procedure has been completed.”
Judge Currer stated that he considered Joelinton’s early guilty plea and cooperation with officers, and he was convinced of the football player’s remorse.
However, he cautioned Joelinton that DUI was a serious offense.
He addressed the athlete, ‘What is evident to me is that you recognize you have made a terrible error of judgment.
You put yourself in grave danger, and the consequences could have been catastrophic for others.
“I sincerely hope you have learned from this error and that we will not see you in court again.”
His appearance at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court occurred less than 48 hours after he scored the lone goal in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final between Newcastle and Southampton.
The defendant, charged as Joelinton Cassio and residing in Ponteland, Northumberland, donned a dark suit, white shirt, black tie, and polished leather shoes to court, where he was accompanied by a club security officer.
There were nine reporters in court to cover the proceedings. When police stated that the player had been charged with drunk driving, manager Eddie Howe stood by him and would not release him.
The Brazilian has been an integral part of the team’s success, as they are currently third in the Premier League table and unbeaten in 15 games.
How does British law on drinking and driving compare to those of other nations?
The drinking and driving regulations in England and Wales are among the most lax in Europe.
80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, or 107 milligrams per 100 millilitres of urine are permissible for drivers.
This does not equate to a fixed number of drinks, as persons of varying ages, weights, and alcohol tolerance consume alcohol at varying rates.
However, as a general rule, most drivers who consume alcohol limit themselves to one pint or one glass of wine.
However, authorities have been urged to amend the law such that drivers cannot consume any alcohol before getting behind the wheel, or at least significantly less.
In the majority of other European nations, the limit is lower, often 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood3.
In December 2014, Scotland dropped its alcohol limit for drivers to 50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood, making it lower than the rest of the United Kingdom.
»Joelinton, 26, is given a 12-month suspension and a £31,000 fine«