Newcastle United midfielder Joelinton has been banned from driving and fined £29,000 after he admitted that he was drink-driving. Police arrested the Brazilian player after pulling over his 2022-plate Mercedes G-Wagen at 01:20 GMT on 12 January on Ponteland Road, Newcastle.
A breath test showed the 26-year-old had 43 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35. Sitting at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, district judge Paul Currer gave him a whole 12-month driving ban.
This will be reduced to nine months if Joelinton completes a rehabilitation course. The judge calculated the fine based on documents showing the footballer’s weekly wage was £43,000 and said he must also pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 costs.
He said he took Joelinton’s early guilty plea and compliance with officers into account and was convinced of his remorse. He also said: “You placed yourself in real jeopardy and it could have had disastrous consequences for the lives of others,” “I sincerely hope you have learned from this mistake and we don’t see you in this court again.”