Drink driving crash shame of ex-footballer Dean Windass

Windass – who starred for a range of teams including Hull City and Bradford City and in recent years has admitted battling depression – was arrested after he drove his silver Mercedes into the other vehicle on Otley Road, Baildon, near Bradford.

Bradford Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that the 43-year-old had been to the Hull City versus Blackpool match on October 3 and was heading home to his flat in the Menston area of Leeds.

Anzal Hussain, prosecuting, said Windass told police he had drunk two large glasses of wine and two pints of lager six hours before the crash, which happened at 5am.

Ms Hussain said the ex-player had 118 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.

“He fell asleep and collided with a parked car,” the prosecutor added.

Maria Temkow, defending, said her client had “lost his self-respect to some extent”.

She said Windass had no previous convictions but had been suffering from depression which had led to him into rehab this year. Ms Temkow said that her client had found it difficult adjusting to life after his football career ended.

However, she said he was not an alcoholic.

“He bitterly regrets getting into that car on that day,” she added.

The court heard how Windass – who had admitted to drink-driving – had co-operated fully with police and had told probation officers he was “really ashamed and embarrassed for doing what he’s done” and “disgusted with himself”.

Windass was banned from driving for 28 months and was also ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £165 towards costs and a victim’s surcharge.