Football

England midfielder Grealish pleads guilty to dangerous driving

Aston Villa's English midfielder Jack Grealish runs after the ball during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Rui Vieira / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Aston Villa’s English midfielder Jack Grealish runs after the ball during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Rui Vieira / POOL / AFP)

Aston Villa and England midfielder Jack Grealish has admitted careless driving in connection with a crash during the coronavirus lockdown earlier this year.

The club captain pleaded guilty to two charges, including one linked to an early-morning incident in which his Range Rover damaged parked vehicles on March 29, just days after nationwide restrictions were imposed.

Grealish, who has won five caps for England, did not appear in court in Birmingham on Tuesday, but, entering pleas through his lawyer, admitted driving without due care.

The 25-year-old was involved in the incident less than 24 hours after issuing a Twitter video message urging others to stay at home to save lives and protect the National Health Service.

The winger also admitted a second charge of careless driving in October.

District Judge John Bristow said the player already had six penalty points on his driving licence for a 2018 motorway speeding offence and could be at risk of a driving ban.

Sentencing will take place on December 15, with Grealish set to attend in person.

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Tom Kirkwood