A PROFESSIONAL footballer from Newtown will have to carry out 120 hours of community work after pleading guilty to being almost three times over the drink drive limit.

Ryan Sears, 22 and of Commercial Street, currently plays for National League side Grimsby Town, and appeared at the town's Magistrate Court on Tuesday, November 23, where he was also banned for two years.

He was given the community sentence because of the severity of the offence, where he recorded a reading of 97 microgrammes of 100 millimetres of breath, when he was caught at 4am in Kingsway, in Cleethorpes.

Sears was pulled over by police on Sunday, October 24, who noticed his erratic driving in his Audi A3, although under the speed limit, and he was given a roadside breath test and co-operated fully with police.

The right-back, who completed his move to east coast in the summer, was told he would have to complete his 120 hours around playing for his club side, and was given one year to complete it.

Magistrate Deputy District Judge Harte told the former Shrewsbury Town player, who spent time on loan at his hometown club in 2017-18 before two separate spells at AFC Telford United, that the community order was the only fitting punishment.

However, he was given the chance to reduce his ban by attending a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

She said: "The level of alcohol in your breath was very high and in the range that a fine is not an appropriate way forward.

"The community sentence is a requirement of 120 hours of unpaid work.

"This will be a community order and is run by the probation service.

"You’re ordered to keep them updated with change of details and turn up to do the work (around your job) when asked.

"It will be fitted around your paid work and will be completed to a high standard."

The court also heard that a ban would place restrictions on his ability to return to Powys to see family but that he would be able to get to his workplace in Cleethorpes with teammates' help.

If he completes the rehabilitation course by April 7, 2023, he would be able to start driving again by June in the same year.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95 and costs of £85.