A PROFESSIONAL footballer from Hartford has been fined after he was caught drink-driving in his mum’s Mercedes in Chester city centre.

Declan Poole, 24, who plays for Connah’s Quay Nomads, was also said to have a quantity of cocaine with him in the early hours of August 18 and was not insured to drive the car.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, September 6, that he had been stopped by police officers who spotted him driving 'erratically' and drifting across lanes on Grosvenor Road.

They noticed he smelt of booze and undertook a breath test that revealed he had 83 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Poole was arrested and later pleaded guilty to drink driving and having no insurance. Due to his good character, the cocaine matter will be dealt with by way of a caution in six weeks’ time.

Rob Youds, prosecuting, said the car was leased through Poole’s mother’s company and he had been on a night out with friends in the city.

Conor Johnstone, defending, said his client earned £380 a week with the Nomads and stressed he had no previous convictions or cautions.

He also reassured magistrates that a black eye that Poole was sporting in the dock was the result of playing football rather than brawling.

“He has expressed deep and genuine remorse,” Mr Johnstone said. “He accepts he shouldn’t have been behind the wheel.

“The club is supporting him although he has been given a warning.”

Poole, who lives in Chester Road, Hartford, Northwich, was fined £422 plus £85 prosecution costs and a £44 victim surcharge.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.