Newcastle's Joelinton banned and fined after pleading guilty to drink-driving

Newcastle United's Joelinton has been banned from driving for 12 months and fined a total of £31,085 after pleading guilty to drink driving when he appeared in court on Thursday morning.

The 26-year-old was arrested just before 1.20am on January 12 after police pulled over his Mercedes in Newcastle. Northumbria Police said: "Shortly before 1.20am today, officers pulled over a vehicle in the Ponteland Road area of Newcastle and arrested the occupant. Joelinton Cassio, 26, of Ponteland, has since been charged with driving whilst above the prescribed limit for alcohol."

Wearing a black suit and black tie, the £40million forward arrived at Newcastle Upon Tyne Magistrates' Court shortly after 8:30am, less than 36 hours after playing a starring role for the Magpies in their 1-0 Carabao Cup semi-final win over Southampton.

Just after 10am, the court heard how his breath reading was 43mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, when the legal limit is 35mcg.

Jonathan Stirland, prosecuting, said officers were in an unmarked police car on Barrack Road, in Newcastle, when their attention was drawn to a black Mercedes driven by the Newcastle star.

Mr Stirland said: "The sergeant formed the view that the car was speeding or going too fast for the road. It caused him [the sergeant] to turn his vehicle around and followed the Mercedes on to the Central Motorway.

"He requested the vehicle to stop. The driver complied. While in a safe space, the officer spoke to the driver, who is the defendant before you today."

He admitted to officers that he had drunk two glasses of wine that evening, and was duly breathalysed at the roadside. He failed the test and was subsequently arrested.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: "He was utterly calm and compliant at the scene and at the police station. He's apologised to all concerned and, if he could turn back the clock, he would."

Mr Forrester told the court that the Brazilian genuinely thought he was under the limit and fit to drive.

Joelinton has been fined £29,000 and must pay £85 costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge. His 12 month ban will be reduced to nine months if he completes a drink driving rehabilitation course.

Joelinton, who earns £43,000 a week, is expected to be fined by Newcastle. He has held talks with Toon boss Eddie Howe about the incident, with Howe describing him as "extremely remorseful" earlier this month.

Speaking about the player's arrest, Howe said: "It came as a shock. A difficult situation. Joe is very remorseful and was very upset. He knows the seriousness. I can't go into too much detail but he understands his responsibilities. We are supporting him but understand the situation.

"'Looking at Joe as a person, he is a very good professional and is hugely passionate about his career and the club. I was very much surprised by what happened.

"We will back him and support him, while also educating him and helping him, that is important. He is very young, everyone makes mistakes. I think it is also important that we don't overreact."

Howe is considering educating his squad about motoring matters, including texting while driving and speeding.

He added: "All of us as humans cannot educate ourselves enough on these things. I don't claim to be an expert on this area. For all the squad it might be time to do that.

"In these times we have to be stronger together rather than become fractious and it give us problems. We understand the seriousness. We have to support Joe as well."