Yet another footballer found driving a car whilst more than twice the legal limit of alcohol for driving suffers a fine and a ban… yet no imprisonment.  According to Gov.uk the penalty for drink driving can include a 6 month ban.  Many don’t, however custodial sentences are considered when there are aggravating circumstances, such as:

• Previous convictions
• High alcohol content
• Evidence of serious impairment
• Being charged at the same time with another motoring offence
• Other aggravating features such as a child being in the car

Given than that on this occasion, the footballer:

• was more than twice the limit
• ran a red light
• was seen by police swerving all over the road
• had a passenger in the car
• had to be helped from the vehicle

…why then, didn’t he receive a custodial sentence.  The only thing that he could have done and didn’t was run someone over. 

The fine dished out was £50,000 – less than a week’s salary for the footballer in question – a sum which might be argued to be little of a disincentive.