Former England captain Ray Wilkins vows to steer clear of alcohol after getting suspended jail sentence for drink driving

Chloe Chaplain25 July 2016

Former England footballer Ray Wilkins walked free from court today for drink driving after telling a judge "abstinence is the only way".

The 59-year-old self-confessed alcoholic was handed a 10-week suspended jail sentence and banned from driving for four years after being caught three times the legal limit earlier this month.

Wilkins, who played for Manchester United, Chelsea and AC Milan during his career, was also ordered to do 140 hours of unpaid work.

The former England captain admitted drink driving and today told Uxbridge Magistrates' Court he had no choice but to stay away from booze or face ruining his life.

Standing in the dock, he said: "Abstinence is the only way I can cure this situation."

Former England footballer Ray Wilkins leaves Uxbridge Magistrates' Court in London
PA

Wilkins' lawyer, Sarah-Kate McIntyre, told the court the former top footballer was "ashamed and embarrassed" to be in the dock.

Ms McIntyre added that Wilkins appreciated the "danger he caused to himself and the public" as well as the hardship he had caused his family, and that he "accepts full responsibility" for the offence.

"He also knows that his marriage is in jeopardy if he continues to drink," she added.

Wilkins was spotted driving his Mercedes in the middle of the road and straddling a bus lane along the A4 on July 1. He also was seen swigging alcohol from the bottle behind the wheel.

In his pomp: Ray Wilkins seen here play for England against Wales (Steve Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)
(Steve Powell/Allsport/Getty Images)

The 59-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court after being found to have been three times the limit. He had originally been due before the court last week but it was postponed after his lawyer said he was seeking treatment for his alcohol problems.

Judge Tim Boswell told Wilkins: "You provided your guilty plea promptly.

"You are now someone who recognises the problem you have and you are taking steps to deal with that problem.

“It will not be easy. This court sees many people battling addiction so you have a tough road ahead."

The judge said he appreciated that Wilkins, who was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 victim surcharge, had a "genuine desire to change".

Outside court, Wilkins said: "I will be judged on the crime I have committed and that is 100 per cent [right].

"I only ask I will not be judged on the alcohol problem I have. I am an addict. I also ask that my family can be shown just a tad more privacy. I would be delighted with that."

Wilkins - who also managed Queen's Park Rangers and was a coach at Chelsea - is now on an intensive residential rehabilitation course at the Priory Hospital in Woking, Surrey.

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