Former Liverpool and Man City star Bellamy convicted of drink-driving

Craig Bellamy has been convicted of drink-driving after over-taking a police car on the A48.

The former Wales international footballer, was disqualified from driving for 18 months after pleading guilty to one charge at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The ex-Cardiff City and Manchester City player was driving a black Mercedes Benz when he passed the marked police car on the A48 Eastern Avenue, Cardiff, travelling towards Llandaff, on March 9, 2019.

Bellamy's solicitor, Sian Brain, said that the star had been drinking during the day and had no intention of driving that evening.

After receiving a lift back to his property on Drewston Road, Old St Mellons, Bellamy slept and ate.

Later that evening Mr Bellamy received a distressed call from his partner. Bellamy's solicitor said that because he had eaten and slept, he no longer believed he was under the influence and decided to drive.

'He now realises this was bad judgement and is deeply ashamed and remorseful for his actions that lead to this event,' said Ms Brain.

The police car he passed was driving at around 40mph at the time. Bellamy was breathalysed and found to have 67 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.

The legal limit in Wales and England is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. He was arrested and taken to a police station.

A district judge imposed a £650 fine, and disqualified Mr Bellamy from driving for 18 months. The ban will be reduced if the pundit completes a speed awareness course before March 25th, 2020.

It is not the first time Bellamy has been disqualified from driving. He was previously banned from driving for six months in 2013.

The former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester City star was caught speeding on the M62 going into Liverpool. Bellamy was driving an Audi Q7 at 64mph in a 50mph limit section of the road at the time. He was disqualified for six months and ordered to pay a £900 fine plus £400 costs.

He also received a caution for common assault in February 2011 following a disturbance in Cardiff city centre the previous month.