Player's drink-drive fine and ban

Ross McCormack crashed his vehicle into metal railings

A Cardiff City and Scotland striker who crashed his car on a night out has been fined and banned from driving for 17 months after admitting drink-driving.

Ross McCormack, 23, left his personalised number plate behind when he fled the scene of the collision last month, Cardiff magistrates were told.

But he was caught after police found the registration plate in the road.

McCormack, of Cardiff Bay, who was almost double the drink-drive limit, was fined £2,500 with £100 costs.

The court heard that police checks on the number plate revealed McCormack was the Range Rover's owner.

Officers called at his home and he admitted being over the limit when he crashed into the fence after a night out.

The court heard he was nearly double the drink-drive limit, with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Sarah Asbrey, prosecuting, said: "McCormack was driving his silver Range Rover Sport when he collided with metal railings.

"Police found a number plate and traced Ross McCormack as the vehicle's owner.

"He was questioned at his home. McCormack said he had been the driver and he hadn't drunk any alcohol since returning home."

'Brought shame'

The court was told he had been drinking at a friend's home and during a meal in Cardiff city centre.

The player crashed his vehicle into railings outside a Harvester restaurant just before 3.45am in Cardiff Bay.

The former Rangers and Motherwell striker, capped four times by Scotland, was not hurt in the crash and no other vehicle was involved.

Mark Hathan, defending, said: "Mr McCormack was foolish and idiotic to get in the vehicle in his condition. He has brought shame on himself, his employers at Cardiff City and his profession."

He said Cardiff City would be carrying out separate disciplinary procedures.

McCormack was fined £2,500 with an additional £100 in costs and victim surcharge.

Cardiff City declined to comment.