Joelinton, a player for Newcastle United, has been given a 12-month driving ban and sanctioned with a £31,085 penalty for pleading guilty to drink-driving.
The 26-year-old Brazilian was pulled over by police after they noticed his 2022-plate Mercedes G wagon, valued at £170,000, on Ponteland Road, Newcastle, at approximately 1:20 am on January 12.
Following his admission of drink-driving, the Brazilian star was fined an amount equivalent to less than a week’s wages.
He failed a breath test, indicating 43mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, exceeding the legal limit of 35mg.
District Judge Paul Currer fined him £29,000, imposed a 12-month driving ban, which can be reduced to nine months upon completion of a rehabilitation course before August.
The judge stated that based on documents revealing his weekly wage as £43,000, he must impose a fine ranging from 75% to 120% of his weekly wage.
It was acknowledged that Joelinton is of ‘good character,’ yet he must also pay a £2,000 surcharge and £85 in costs.
According to Jonathan Stirland, the prosecuting attorney, officers observed Joelinton driving at high speed near the football ground and instructed him to stop.
Joelinton cooperated with the officers and stated that he had consumed two glasses of wine earlier in the evening.
His roadside breath test recorded 50mg per 100ml, which lowered to 43mg in subsequent tests at Forth Banks police station.
The arrest occurred just 48 hours after the Brazilian played in his team’s victory against Leicester City at St James’ Park.
The arresting officers noted that the player’s eyes appeared ‘glazed over,’ but a later review of bodycam footage showed he appeared ‘fine.’
In his plea to the judge, he stated: ‘I am asking you to impose the minimum disqualification.’
‘He genuinely believed he was capable of driving.’
‘He was extremely compliant and cooperative both at the scene and at the police station.’
District Judge Currer considered Joelinton’s early guilty plea and cooperation with officers, and he was convinced of the footballer’s regret. However, he cautioned Joelinton that drink-driving is a severe offense.