Town loanee David Unsworth has described driving whilst drunk as a "moment of madness". The 31-year-old was banned from driving for two years at Fareham Magistrates' Court, fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £55.

The defender failed a roadside breath test on February 27th, close to his home at Whiteley, near Portsmouth, registering 98 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, nearly three times over the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.

Dan Souter, Unsworth's defence, said in court that the Portsmouth player's current career circumstances had led to a row with his wife: "Times are difficult for the Unsworth family at this time with the pressures of football. Mr Unsworth arrived at Portsmouth Football Club in the summer of 2004.

"It was then decided he was no longer wanted and he was loaned out to Ipswich Town Football Club and certainly Mrs Unsworth has been finding it particularly difficult with three young children."

Unsworth had been drinking with a meal at home but after the argument had left by car. He had intended to return to Ipswich but instead decided he would stop and call home, during which time he was breath tested.

In a statement Unsworth admitted he had been foolish: "In a moment of stupidity, I drove 200 yards from my home when I was stopped by the police. I am thankful no third party was involved."

The two-year ban will be reduced to 18 months if the one-time England international completes a drink-driving rehabilitation course.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls