M40 crash lands former Arsenal star Paul Merson with 14-month driving ban

The former England and Aston Villa midfielder was reprimanded after he fell asleep at the wheel while under the influence of alcohol, colliding into the back of a 38-tonne lorry

8 Feb 2012 16:58:00

By Edward Tibbles

More On :  Arsenal FC, England
Paul Merson of Arsenal ( Getty Images)

Former Arsenal man Paul Merson has been banned from driving for 14 months after he was found guilty of being under the influence of alcohol and causing a crash on the M40.

Merson failed a roadside breath test at the scene of the incident in the early hours of October 12, after he had crashed his Mercedes into the back of a 38-tonne lorry while asleep at the wheel of his vehicle.

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After being found guilty of drink driving, Lemington Magistrates' Court sentenced him to a 14-month ban from driving as well as £1,500 worth of fines.

The former England player exceeded the 80mg per 100ml of blood, topping 124mg after attending a charity party in London.

In the collision Merson suffered a head injury and was rushed to Warwick Hospital.

The court heard from prosecutor Philippa Cowley that Merson had put up no attempt to plead innocence at the scene and even stated that he was one of the people who called the police.

"It was clear that he had got a head injury and he was very frank with the police," Cowley explained.

"He said that he had fallen asleep and had been at a charity do for children and had had a few drinks."

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