Cricketer in bollard crash banned

Mike O'Shea has played three times for Glamorgan this season

Mike O'Shea told police 'I know I'm over the limit'

Glamorgan batsman Mike O'Shea has been banned from driving after he crashed into bollards after celebrating a win.

He told police: "I've had way too much to drink - I know I'm over the limit," Cardiff magistrates heard.

The ex-young England player, 21, was more than twice the drink-drive limit when the crash happened in Cardiff city centre in May, injuring his passenger.

He admitted drink-driving. The court heard the 18-month ban could affect his contract.

O'Shea is also serving a three-week ban on playing imposed by the club for breaking his code of employment.

The police officer's son, from Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, has previously represented England at under-19 level in five test matches, two overseas tours and several one-day internationals.

Magistrates heard he had been in Cardiff city centre last month celebrating a team win - against Gloucestershire in the Twenty20 Cup - when he crashed his car.

Ian Williams, defending, said O'Shea had intended to stay with a friend in the Llanishen area but they became separated.

He has never suggested it was never his fault - this could have severe implications for his onward ability to earn money

Ian Williams, defending

The defendant met another team mate and they decided to walk back from the city centre to his car so they could drive to the latter's home in the Roath area.

"Mr O'Shea can't explain why they didn't get a taxi," said Mr Williams.

O'Shea claimed he crashed into some bollards near his county's ground after seeing a "fox or cat" dart out in front of his car.

The car's airbag inflated, causing a cut to his friend's face and while his friend sought treatment from a security guard at the nearby Welsh Institute of Sport, police were alerted.

'Guilty plea'

Hannah Norton, prosecuting, said police received a report at about 0400 BST on 28 May of a car crash near the Swalec stadium

She said that when police arrived, O'Shea told them: "I've had way too much to drink. I know I'm over the limit."

Mr Williams told the court the ban could have an impact on his client's future in the sport as his contract was due for renewal at the end of the season.

Mr Williams said: "He is in the last year of his contract. There is no guarantee of a new contract. I'm sure the behaviour displayed may well count to the weighing up of a contract."

He added: "He has never suggested it was never his fault. This could have severe implications for his onward ability to earn money."

Mr Williams asked magistrates to give O'Shea credit for his early guilty plea, remaining at the scene of the accident and his clean character.

'Aggravated'

He pleaded guilty to driving with 83 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35 microgrammes.

Magistrates' chairwoman Teresa Triggs said: "In this matter you are aware your level of alcohol consumption was on the high level and the fact you were involved in an accident has aggravated what occurred."

O'Shea was also fined £280 and ordered to pay court costs of £60 and a victim surcharge of £15.

He issued a statement after his arrest apologising to his club and its supporters.

He said: "I accept without question all the sanctions the club have decided to impose on me.

"Drink-driving is utterly unacceptable and totally out of character for me."