JOCKEY Aidan Keeley has shown regret over his drink-driving ban and fine after being found at almost twice the alcohol limit.
The 24-year-old’s vehicle was spotted by driving erratically and swerving over the centre of the road in Newmarket in the early hours of October 5th.
Aidan Keeley has been banned from driving for 18 months and handed a fineCredit: Getty
The jockey was found at the wheel almost twice over the legal limitCredit: Getty
Keeley was pulled over at around 1am and was administered a roadside breathalyser, which he failed.
Further tests at the station returned an reading of 65 microgrammes per 100ml of breath, well over the legal limit of 35 microgrammes.
Keeley was handed a driving ban, as well as a £500 fine, a £200 victim surcharge and £110 in costs after his hearing at Ipswich Magistrates last Friday.
PC Sage, the arresting officer, said: “Aidan Keeley was almost twice the legal alcohol limit when we stopped him and it was fortunate that he wasn’t involved in a collision, as he was obviously not in control of the car by the manner of driving we witnessed.
“This case is a timely reminder of the risks involved in drink-driving and also the consequences. Not only has he lost his licence for 18 months but must also pay over £800 in fines and other costs.
“Our message is simple – don’t take the risk, it is not worth it. Plan your journey home and don’t gamble with peoples’ lives or your own livelihood.”
Keeley was champion jockey in Jersey in 2021, before riding Majestic to victory in his Newmarket debut in 2022.
After a personal record 43 winners last year, he rode 10 from 173 rides in Britain this year.
Keeley will have the opportunity to reduce his year-and-a-half driving ban by 18 weeks by completing an approved course on drink-driving.
Per Racing Post , he said on Thursday: “I pleaded guilty to the charge of drink-driving, but I didn’t believe I was driving in the erratic manner the police described.
“Driving is 80 per cent of my job, so it’s bad enough I’ve lost my licence without this being said as well.
“I’m a struggling jockey and this isn’t something I wanted to happen. It’s been a tough year on and off the course, with ups and downs, mostly downs.
“However, I’m lucky to have good people around me and am hopeful this mistake doesn’t impact how people judge my character, and that I can move on positively from it.”
He is not the first jockey to receive similar repercussions this year, with both and Nathan Evans
Murphy, 30, was in July.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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