Clarke Carlisle’s ‘battle with mental health issues’

Carlisle nearly crashed into a delivery lorry on December 20 just two days before he jumped into the path of a 12-ton lorry on the A64 near York, Highbury Magistrates’ Court in north London was told.

Carlisle, 35, still baring the physical facial scars from the crash which left him in a coma until mid-January, spoke clearly as he stood in the dock.

The former Professional Footballers’ Association chairman, who also played for Burnley, Queens Park Rangers and Northampton Town, admitted to failing to provide a sample.

He also pleaded guilty to a charge of driving otherwise in accordance with a licence on the same date, when police officers spotted him driving a Mercedes in an “erratic” nature, prosecutor Zahid Hussain said.

Deputy District judge Margaret Dodds told Carlisle he would “inevitably” be disqualified when he next appears at the same court for sentencing on May 14.

She also ordered reports should be prepared ahead of the next hearing as “he is clearly in some trouble”.

Krystelle Wass, defending, had told the court: “Two days after the incident (on December 20) Mr Carlisle attempted suicide, which is why matters have taken some time to come to court.”

She said there were “ongoing mental health issues”.

Carlisle had been spotted by police swerving his Mercedes and nearly hitting a lorry on Pentonville Road in Islington, north London, on December 20 at about 7am.

Mr Hussain said the car was seen “swerving in the lane, to the pavement on the nearside, almost mounting the pavement” and that the tyres were “grinding on the curb”.

When the officers stopped and spoke to Carlisle, “alcohol was smelled on his breath,” Mr Hussain added.

The court was told that Carlisle did not blow long enough in the breathalyser when he was tested at the roadside to provide an adequate sample.

He was taken to Islington police station but would not co-operate and said: “Sergeant, I would like to speak to my counsel first.”

The court was told that Carlisle has been involved in excess drinking offences in 1999 and 2011.

The deputy district judge told Carlisle that he would get credit for his early guilty plea but noted that he has a “bad record”.

Carlisle, who was smartly dressed in a grey wool suit, thanked the judge as he was released on unconditional bail.

He did not want to make further comment outside the court. Since the incident Carlisle has said he felt he ‘’had to die’’ after losing his job as a pundit on ITV and going on a gambling spree.