Northants cricket star Ben Duckett admits drink-driving charge

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club press day.
Ben Duckett. ENGPNL00220130904110931 — Northamptonshire County Cricket Club press day. Ben Duckett. ENGPNL00220130904110931

A Northants County Cricket player has been banned from driving for a year after he admitted driving while over the alcohol limit.

Ben Duckett, aged 20, was arrested on June 27 after he crashed his car into a ditch off Wappenham Road in Towcester,

After he was breathalysed, Duckett, who is a wicketkeeper for the county cricket team, gave officers a reading of 43 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

Duckettt, of Stowe, pleaded guilty to a charge of drink-driving when he appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday).

Northants Steelbacks v Worcestershire Rapids T20 Blast at County Ground, Wantage Road, Northampton. EMN-150307-113321002

Matthew Thomas, prosecuting, said Duckett’s Seat Ibiza was found in a ditch just after midnight.

Mr Thomas said Duckett told officers that he had lost control of his vehicle on a bend.

Duckett, representing himself, apologised for his actions and said he took full responsibility for what had happened.

Duckett was fined £460, he must pay victim surcharge of £46 and court costs of £235. He will be disqualified from driving for 12 months, unless he does the drink-drive rehabilitation course, which will reduce his ban by three months.