Wayne Rooney ordered to complete 100 hours’ community service and will be made to wear hi-vis jacket after being caught driving over the limit with Laura Simpson
WAYNE Rooney said he had let down his family and fans as he admitted a drink-drive rap.
The 31-year-old former England captain was ordered to do 100 hours’ community service.
will have to wear a hi-viz orange vest emblazoned with “Community Payback” to clean up graffiti or industrial estate waste.
His lawyer Michael Rainford told the court which Rooney’s wife Coleen, 31, did not attend: “He recognises he’s let not only himself down but his family. He’s let fans down, young people who look up to him.”
Mr Rainford said Rooney accepted he “needs to show better judgment” after being caught at nearly three times the drink limit in a car with a party girl.
But District Judge John Temperley rejected pleas to just fine the £160,000-a-week star due to his charity work.
The judge said: “I’m not satisfied even a high-level fine would have the same punitive effects as a community order.”
He told Rooney: “You placed yourself and others at risk.”
The dad of three tweeted after the Stockport magistrates’ court hearing: “I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgment driving while over the limit.
“I’ve said sorry to my family and everyone at Everton.
“Now I want to apologise to fans and everyone who has followed and supported me.
“I hope I can make amends through community service.”
Rooney, England’s record goalscorer, also wrote an apology to the judge.
A Probation Service source said: “A high-vis vest is mandatory, no matter who you are.
“It’s unlikely he could do his service in a charity shop.”
Rooney, flanked by his agent and two minders, faced fans’ cheers and jeers as he went in court and later as he left.
He spoke only to confirm his name, address and birth date in the 20-minute case. He wore his wedding ring but Coleen is yet to forgive him. The judge also gave him a two-year ban with £170 costs.
TAXI FOR ROO Everton star Wayne Rooney’s drink-driving ban could set him back a whopping £500,000
The star, with three licence points for speeding in 2016, can cut his ban by 24 weeks with drink-drive rehab classes.
His lawyer said Everton would probably fine him two weeks’ wages, about £320,000.
He was stopped for a faulty light as he drove Laura Simpson, 29, in her VW Beetle on September 1 in Alderley Edge.
He had 104mcg of booze in his breath. The limit is 35mcg.
TV’s Lord Sugar said of his community service: “I always thought his best position was sweeper.”
Laura's sister Eden, 22, branded her a “slag and d***head” for getting her to babysit daughter Lola, six, while she did interviews.
Fallen foul of court
OTHER footie aces handed community service include:
- CARLOS TEVEZ, Man U. 250 hrs, drove banned, uninsured.
- DANNY SIMPSON, Leicester. 300hrs, attacked partner.
- JAMES BEATTIE, Southampton. 100hrs, drink-driving.
- JOEY BARTON, Man C. 200hrs, assaulted teammate.
- ERIC CANTONA, Man U. 120hrs, assaulted fan.
- VINNIE JONES, Wimbledon. 100hrs, assault; 80hrs, threats.
- NATHAN DYER, Swansea. 60hrs, theft.
