Former Premier League footballer and PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle banned from driving
FORMER Premier League footballer and PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle has been banned from driving for three years after being found guilty of drink driving.
If you are not in control of your vehicle in a road in central London you represent a danger to people
The ex-QPR and Watford defender, who was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of community service, nearly crashed into a delivery lorry on December 20.
It came just two days before Carlisle jumped into the path of a 12-ton truck on the A64 near York, Highbury Magistrates' Court heard today.
District judge Susan Williams told Carlisle that although he had made a "positive contribution" in the world of football, she had to sentence him for the risk he had created in driving "erratically".
She told Carlisle that "if you are not in control of your vehicle in a road in central London you represent a danger to people".
Carlisle was ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months, his licence was endorsed and he was given a three year ban.
He was also ordered to pay a £60 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.
The former Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) chairman, who played for Burnley, Queens Park Rangers, Leeds United and Northampton Town, admitted to failing to provide a sample.
Carlisle has also previously pleaded guilty to a charge of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence on the same date when police officers spotted him driving a Mercedes in an "erratic" nature, the court heard.
The ex-Premier League player had been seen swerving his Mercedes and narrowly missing a lorry in Pentonville Road, North London, at around 7am on December 20 last year.
He was arrested and reused to give a sample.
His lawyer, Lisa Judge, said the 35-year-old had seen the error of his ways.
She said the incident, which happened just two days before he tried to commit suicide, happened while her client who now "utterly oozes remorse" was in an "extremely dark place".
Carlisle, smartly-dressed in a dark grey suit, said "thank you ma'am" as the district judge sentenced him and urged him to find help at a clinic for his mental health problems.
She told him that he is "a talented and resourceful man" who has been a positive influence to people, including to "those who are less fortunate than yourself".
She also warned Carlisle that he must not get behind the wheel while he is banned.
Miss Judge said Carlisle still "has work to be done" to get to grips with his psychological condition.
However, she said he has already taken steps which give him an insight in to his problems.
Carlisle has this year admitted in media interviews that he has struggled with depression.
These incidents happened within weeks of Carlisle losing his job as a pundit on ITV.
He has a short-term contract as a commentator with a radio station but this ends in July.