Two Derby County Football Club players have avoided jail after admitting to drink-driving.
Wales international Tom Lawrence and Mason Bennett were arrested following a crash on the A6 near Allestree, Derby, which left their club captain seriously injured.
Both footballers admitted drink-driving and failing to stop at the scene when they appeared at Derby Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday).
They were each handed a 12-month community order, banned from driving for two years and ordered to carry out 180 hours' of unpaid work.
District Judge Jonathan Taaffe had warned the pair they could be sent to prison - but they walked free from court after probation services argued they would struggle in custody.
He told the players they had been "extremely fortunate" and had "brought shame upon yourselves, your family, your profession and your club".
Midfielder Lawrence, 25, recorded a breath test reading of 58 microgrammes per 100ml and forward Bennett, 23, recorded a level of 64. The legal limit is 35.
Mr Taaffe said Derby County fans would be "incredulous" at what they had done.
He added that the crash, which occurred on September 24th, "could have led to death".
Club captain Richard Keogh suffered a serious leg injury in the crash, involving a Range Rover Sport and a Mercedes, and could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
