Former England football captain Paul Ince found himself at the centre of public attention on Friday, not for his renowned sporting prowess, but for a court appearance in Cheshire linked to a drink-driving offence. Despite the grave context, Ince arrived at Chester Magistrates’ Court in seemingly good spirits, graciously signing autographs and even pausing for selfies with supporters lingering outside the courthouse.
The 57-year-old former midfielder admitted to driving while over the legal alcohol limit on 28 June, after being stopped by police in Neston, Cheshire. Though candid in admitting guilt, Ince’s offence has resulted in serious financial and personal repercussions. The court imposed a 12-month driving ban, a £5,000 fine, a statutory £2,000 surcharge, and £85 in court costs, tallying up to a significant total penalty.
Details of the incident were brought before District Judge Jack McGarva, who underlined the seriousness of drink-driving offences. The judge stated plainly, “The message has got to be if you’re going to drive, you don’t drink at all.” This echoes longstanding efforts to deter drink-driving throughout the country and reinforce public safety on the roads.
Prosecutor Nigel Jones told the court that Ince was observed by an off-duty officer swerving his vehicle across Chester High Road. The car reportedly veered over the central reservation, struck roadside bollards, and suffered two burst tyres before Ince pulled into a nearby petrol station, where police swiftly arrived on the scene. Ince’s breathalyser reading was 49 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath, significantly surpassing the UK legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Paul Ince’s defence solicitor, Frank Rogers, argued that Ince had misjudged the situation entirely. According to Rogers, Ince had attended a golf competition earlier in the day at Heswall Golf Club, consuming two drinks on an empty stomach. “He felt fine to drive, of course we now know that he shouldn’t have done,” Rogers explained. The situation reportedly escalated when Ince, distracted by a dropped mobile phone, veered near a traffic island—causing damage to both sets of tyres.
Upon realising something was amiss due to a dashboard tyre alert, Ince pulled in to assess the situation and contacted both his wife and the Range Rover assistance helpline. It was at this point that police officers arrived. Rogers emphasised that Ince, who has been a licenced driver for nearly four decades and currently has three points on his licence, had not been involved in any collisions with other vehicles or significant property damage.
Further details from court testimony illustrated Ince’s character and ongoing contributions beyond the football pitch. The former player, who grew up in Dagenham, is known for supporting local charities such as the Future Youth Zone and Claire House Children’s Hospice. Since retiring from a decorated playing and managerial career—which included stints with West Ham, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, and the England national team—Ince has largely focused on charity and some media engagement.
In court, Ince expressed remorse for his actions and issued a formal apology. Judge McGarva speculated about Ince’s presumably ample assets given his notable footballing and managerial career. Ince’s lawyer clarified that while his client may have considerable assets, his current income was described as ‘not substantial.’
As he exited court, Ince maintained a respectful and cooperative demeanour, even providing a reporter with a photographic printout detailing the damage to the roadside bollards and central reservation. His actions following the verdict seemed aimed at ensuring transparency about the details of the incident.
The episode serves as a stark reminder that even those in the public eye are not immune to the consequences of drink-driving. Paul Ince’s case reinforces national efforts to combat road safety offences and acts as a cautionary tale for all motorists, regardless of status or reputation.