Everton midfielder Darron Gibson given driving ban after guilty plea

Everton midfielder Darron Gibson has been given a 20-month driving ban after pleading guilty to crashing into a group of cyclists while drink-driving.

Gibson collided into three cyclists who had stopped at the side of the road to fix a broken chain. One of the cyclists suffered cuts to his legs, elbow and hand and his £4,500 bike was written off.

The Republic of Ireland international then fled the scene before later driving to a petrol station and colliding with a petrol pump.

The 27-year-old attended Trafford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to charges of driving with excess alcohol, driving without due care and failing to stop after an accident.

As well as being banned from driving for 20 months Gibson was also ordered to pay compensation of £4,500 for the damaged bicycle and £1,000 to the injured cyclist as well as £100 each to the other two cyclists.

Gibson was also sentenced to a 12-month community order, with an unpaid work requirement of 200 hours.

The former Manchester United player has yet to feature for this season as he recovers from a foot injury, the latest of a succession of niggling injuries that have dogged Gibson over the past few years.

Gibson made 14 appearances for Everton last season and just two the season before that due to a number of injuries including cruciate ligament damage picked up on international duty in October 2013.