Key Events
Rooney allowed to leave
Rooney is warned to complete the order as directed by the Probation Service or face re-sentence.
He is offered the rehabilitation course and must complete it by February 22 next year to gain the reduction.
Rooney is asked to speak to Probation before he leaves.
That completes the hearing, and Rooney is allowed to leave.
The judge retires to allows the packed press bench and public gallery to cleared.
Rooney banned for two years
Mr Rainford: “He is a young man of many fine qualities it has to be said who regrets that night and must not repeat it in the future.”
That concludes mitigation.
Judge Temperley asks a probation officer whether Rooney is suitable for unpaid work.
A duty probation officer says that her colleague has been making checks to see if Rooney could be accomodated on an unpaid work scheme.
The judge allows the probation officer to check on the progress of the enquiry.
Mr Rainford stands and says Rooney is interested in completing the drink driver’s rehabilitation course, which is offered to defendants after their first conviction for the offence and can reduce the ban by a quarter if completed by a certain date.
The officer returns with her colleague, who says that unpaid work is possible.
Judge Temperley asks Rooney to stand.
“Im sure you don’t need me to tell you, this was a serious offence, you were driving a motor vehicle almost three times the legal limit, and you were carrying a female passenger which was an aggravating feature, and you put other road users at risk.”
He says he recognises Rooney’s remorse as “genuine” and says he accepts his charitable work.
“I recognise that this has been difficult for you and your family.”
“I’m not convinced in this case I should impose a fine rather than a community penalty.”
ROONEY IS SENTENCED TO A 12 MONTH COMMUNITY ORDER WITH 120 HOURS OF UNPAID WORK.
HE IS BANNED FROM THE ROADS FOR 2 YEARS.
Rooney's charity work
Mr Rainford says he will outline what Rooney does in relation to charity.
He says Rooney works with Alder Hey, Claire House, the NSPCC and also his own foundation.
Rooney seems calms in the dock and sits with his hands on his lap, listening intently to his solicitor.
Mr Rainford says Rooney does more than “pay lip service” to his charity obligations.
“He just gets on with it, gives them his time and helps people who have not been as advantaged as him.”
Mr Rainford says he acknowledges that Rooney will be disqualified for a considerable period of time and will face a hefty financial penalty.
He also says Rooney is likely to be fined two weeks wages by his bosses at Everton FC.
“It’s not insignificant and it’s another form of punishment.”
Mr Rainford says Rooney is not looking to shirk his punishment and will complete whatever order the court feels is appropriate in terms of any community order.
However he says Rooney is already doing a large amount of work through charity in the community.
“I would ask the court to deal with him today by way of disqualification and financial penalty.”
Mr Rainford says it would not be necessary to pass a community sentence.
WAYNE ROONEY PLEADS GUILTY TO DRINK DRIVING
The prosecutor, Kate Gaskell, opens the case.
The case of Wayne Rooney is called on and Rooney enters wearing a a dark navy blue suit.
She says PC jackson was on duty about 2.20 in Rainford. He was passed by a black VW Beetle with a missing rear tail light
The officers realised the driver was Wayne Rooney and saw there was a female passenger.
“The officer asked if he had been drinking and Rooney replied ‘a few’.
He was breathalysed and a reading was taken of 104, whereas the legal limit is 35.
Michael Rainford, defending, says his client was “a perfect gentleman” throught the process of being arrested.
He says Rooney stopped the car himself without being flashed.
“There was a passenger with him but the road conditions themselves were very quiet there was nobody around...the standard of his driving was acceptable in that there was no speeding or anything of that nature.”
Mr Rainford says his client has no previous convictions and has shown remorse.
“Through me Wayne wishes to express his genuine remorse for what was a terrible mistake and a terrible error of judgement on his behalf.”
He says Rooney has written a letter to the court.
“He knows he has let himself down here but he has let his family down, he has a wife and three young children, but he has also let his fans down.
“He can have an impact on young people, and you can see in the letter there how he has helped young people through their difficulties.
Mr Rainford says Rooney is used to media pressure but “this case has seen unbelievable media focus every day.”
“There has been intense focus on him and on his family as well.”
Wayne Rooney in court on drink-driving charge
Wayne Rooney is due to appear in court today to face a charge of drink-driving.
The 31-year-old Everton forward is set to appear at Stockport Magistrates Court after being arrested in Wilmslow on September 1.
Former England captain Rooney is charged with driving while over the prescribed limit, and is due to appear in court a day after making a return to former club Manchester United in the Blues’ 4-0 defeat yesterday.
After his arrest Rooney, of Collar House Drive, Prestbury, was released on bail after being charged.
Reporter Jonathan Humphries is in court for today’s proceedings, and will be providing updates as magistrates hear the facts of the case.
