Former Premier League star found slumped at wheel and four times drink-drive limit
A FORMER Premier League star was found slumped at the wheel and four times the drink-drive limit.
Richard Ord, who twice helped Sunderland AFC win promotion to the top flight, had stopped to buy a bottle of vodka from a local Co-op.
Concerned staff called police, who found the 54-year-old slumped over the wheel of his car.
The ex-defender was found to have 144mg of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath – the legal limit being 35.
Ord swerved jail and was instead banned from driving for eight months after admitting driving with excess alcohol.
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard the incident unfolded in February as Ord stopped at the shops.
Liz McGowan, prosecuting, said: “He was outside the shop, staff saw him buy a bottle of vodka and were concerned about his appearance.
“They alerted the police and they found slumped over the wheel of the car.
“He appeared intoxicated and he was breathalysed but officers. His reading was 144mg of alcohol to 100ml of breath.”
The court was told Ord is now tackling his alcohol problems and is also on benefits following the end of his career.
As well as a driving ban, he was given a six month community order and told to attend 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Ord was also fined £150 with an additional £114 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
District Judge Steven Hood said: “You came to court as a man of good character but you can no longer call yourself that.”
Ord joined Sunderland in 1986 after he left school and played for his boyhood team for more than a decade.
He helped the Black Cats secure promotion twice in the 1990s during his 253 appearances.
The footballer also had a stint at Queen’s Park Rangers but was injured and never got to play for the club.
He later managed non-league Durham City for two years but resigned in 2012.