The Crown Prosecution Service has released footage showing Danny Graham smash his Land Rover through the front of a Wynyard convenience store.
The 37-year-old former footballer, who had stints with Middlesbrough and Sunderland AFC was three times over the legal limit when he decided to get behind the wheel of his car on November 4, 2022 - admitting that he 'can't remember' why he drove the 4x4 after consuming 'up to ten pints'.
Graham appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court last Friday (April 14), where he gave a guilty plea of drink driving.
Teesside Live reports that CCTV footage of the incident has now been released, which shows the moment the ex-striker smashed through the store front of the Co-op Village Store on the Wynyard estate. The court heard that the crash happened just over a minute after a customer left the shop with their dog - with video footage showing the doors burst open as smashed glass and debris reigns down on the shop's interior.
Further details from the collision were spoke of at the court on Friday, with it coming to light that before the crash, Graham had been playing golf before going to a friend's house for some drinks. He revealed that he had consumed 'between five and ten pints' with the intention of getting a taxi home.
However, he instead got behind the wheel of his car, citing that he cannot remember why. Magistrates heard how no one was injured through the crash, with shop staff finding an intoxicated Graham behind the wheel.
Attending court in a navy suit, Graham could be seen looking down - as CCTV of the incident was screened at the court. Police were called after the incident, and Graham was taken into the home of a witness - where he awaited the arrival of officers for his 'protection' according to prosecutor Mike Lawson.
The defendant was then taken to the University Hospital of North Tees via ambulance, where he was subject to the standard drink drive procedure. Blood taken showed no less than 230mg of alcohol per 100ml, while the legal limit is just 80mg.
Danny spent the night in a prison cell after the crash, with the court hearing how it's the first time that the former footballer has been arrested. Choi Cheng, mitigating, said: "Mr Graham is very apologetic. He is deeply remorseful for this offence. He is a man of previous good character having never been to a court for anything in the past."
Mr Lawson also outlined how £5,000 worth of damage to the store came as a result, with the outlet remaining closed for five days. This set an estimated total loss of £32,000. Mr Cheng, added: “Mr Graham, due to this incident, experienced many things which he would never want to experience again.
“This is the first time he has ever been in trouble and I expect it will be the last time he will be in trouble. This has had a dramatic effect upon him.”
Danny then told probation that he described himself as being an 'eight or nine out of ten for intoxication in terms of how drunk he felt'. He doesn't remember why he got into the car, and the court also heard how he remembers very little about the events of the evening - due to trauma caused by the crash, as well as intoxication.
As a result, Mr. Graham was given a 12-month community order, where he must complete 180 hours of unpaid work. He will also be subject to a 90-day drinking ban, to be monitored via electronic tag - which will notify officers even if he has a 'small glass of sherry'.
He has also been banned from driving for 24 months - but will be allowed to complete the drink driver rehabilitation course which will reduce the disqualification by three months. He must also pay a surcharge and costs of £199.
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