Messi myth ends in drink-drive ban for Sunderland man
A Sunderland care worker scored an own goal when he copied football star Lionel Messi by mixing red wine with soft drinks – believing he would be safe to drive.
Anand James, 32, was told by pals the concoction, which the Argentinian soccer legend has talked about online, would keep him below the drink-drive limit.
But that proved false, as proved when he got behind the wheel of his Renault in Durham Road, Tunstall, on the evening of Sunday, July 12.
Police saw James, of Western Hill, near Sunderland University, driving erratically and pulled him over.
A breath test showed he was approaching twice the legal alcohol limit, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.
Appearing there, James pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol and was banned from driving for three years.
Prosecutor Yetunde Alake said: “Police saw the defendant’s motor vehicle and described the manner of driving as erratic.
“They carried out checks. He was arrested and taken into custody.”
James gave a reading of 56mcg of alcohol in 100mls of breath, the legal limit being 35mcg.
The court heard he had a conviction from 2023 for failing to provide a sample for analysis, making him subject to a minimum three-year disqualification.
Peter Thubron, mitigating, said James was working in the UK on a skilled worker visa while his wife lived in India.
He said his client needed his car for work and faced losing his job if banned and unable to carry out his care duties.
Mr Thubron added: “I suggest that he didn’t have a lot of knowledge of alcohol because he tells me Lionel Messi drinks red wine with Sprite.
“His friends told him that if he did that, alcohol doesn’t have an effect on you.
“When he was at his friend’s, he thought that he could have three drinks of Sprite or Monster with wine and it wouldn’t affect him.
“Whatever Lionel Messi drinks, this defendant followed him and didn’t believe that alcohol would get in his system. It’s a total fallacy.”
District Judge Zoe Passfield also fined James £403, with a £161 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
She told him: “This isn’t the first time you’re appeared before this court for offences related to driving under the influence.”