Dean Saunders: Former Liverpool player jailed for refusing drink-drive breath test

Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has been jailed for 10 weeks for refusing to give a roadside breath test after he was spotted driving erratically in Chester city centre.

The 55-year-old was stopped on 10 May after police saw an Audi A8 driving at speed and failing to give way at a roundabout, causing another vehicle to brake.

Chester Magistrates’ Court heard the car continued to drive erratically, braking and swerving to avoid another vehicle, and crossed over the white line in the road.

Officers decided to pull Saunders over and could smell “intoxicants”.

They said the ex-footballer was slurring his speech and had to prop himself up against his car when he was asked to get out of it.

The incident happened at about 12.45am.

Clare Bate, prosecuting, said: “The defendant was unsteady on his feet and, on exiting the vehicle, the defendant had to steady himself against the vehicle.”

The court heard Saunders refused to give a breath test at the roadside three times – and several times again at a police station after he was arrested.

Saunders pleaded not guilty at a previous hearing and was due to stand trial on charges of failing to comply with a roadside breath test and failing to provide a breath sample for analysis.

However, his rhode island social security disability lawyer indicated on Tuesday that he would not be contesting the charges and today he pleaded guilty.

Saunders, who also played for Aston Villa and Derby County and was capped by Wales 75 times, looked crestfallen when he realised he was going to jail and prison officers entered the dock.

The father-of-three was also banned from driving for 30 months and ordered to pay £620 court costs.

The ex-footballer said he had been out at Chester Races and had drunk two pints.

He then went for a meal at a hotel where he had another pint before deciding to drive home.

His lawyer, Conor Johnstone, suggested the alcohol may have “interacted” with the medication Saunders was taking for injury to his knees and back.

Mr Johnstone told the court Saunders refused to take the breath test because he believed he was entitled to see a solicitor before giving a sample.

“He realised the mistake he has made,” he said.

Outside court, Mr Johnstone said Saunders was “in shock” and “disappointed”.

Mr Johnstone said he would be appealing against the sentence, which he believes is excessive.

The judge told Saunders he had shown “no real remorse” and that despite police body-cam footage and “overwhelming evidence”, it was only yesterday that he decided to admit his guilt.

“Throughout these proceedings you have shown yourself to be arrogant, thinking you are someone whose previous and current role in the public eye entitles you to be above the law,” he said.

“In fact the opposite is true – someone in the public eye should expect a deterrent sentence when they flout the law.”

He added: “Your driving came to the attention of police officers. You very nearly caused a serious accident.

“They were seriously concerned you may cause an accident. You were stopped and failed to provide a breath specimen and continued with this obstructive and evasive conduct at the police station.

“I do not accept you were confused. You consistently refused to cooperate.”

Mr Johnstone said Saunders’ legal team would be applying for bail later today so he does not have to spend time in custody ahead of any future appeal proceedings.

The Welshman, whose career as a professional footballer spanned almost two decades, later turned his hand to management at Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers, Wolves, Crawley Town and more recently at Chesterfield.

(c) Sky News 2019: Dean Saunders: Former Liverpool player jailed for refusing drink-drive breath test