Arrest warrant issued for former Sunderland AFC coach after failure to turn up at court
Lita was arrested by the police on the same day he was banned from the roads for drink driving
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of former Sunderland AFC coach Leroy Lita after he failed to appear in court.
Lita, 41, was employed by the Black Cats last season as a professional development coach working with young players at the Academy of Light.
On June 23 (2026) Lita eventually pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates Court to a charge of drink driving and was banned from the roads for 18 months and fined £777, with a £311 victim surcharge and £300 costs.
Speaking at the time, Judge Passfield warned Lita that driving while disqualified could lead to a jail term.
North Yorkshire Police subsequently confirmed that on June 23 - the same day he was banned from the roads - Lita was arrested by police officers on the A1(M) between junction 45 and 46, near Wetherby.
He was charged with driving while disqualified and driving without third party insurance and was yesterday (August 10) due to appear at York Magistrates Court.
However, magistrates at the court today (August 11) confirmed Lita failed to turn up.
A spokesperson said: “Leroy Lita failed to appear at court and a warrant for his arrest without bail was subsequently issued. He was due to appear at York Magistrates Court at 10am but no verdict could be reached or sentence passed in his absence.”
North Yorkshire Police have confirmed that at the time of publication, Lita has not been arrested.
Sunderland AFC have confirmed Lita is no longer employed at the club.
Lita enjoyed a 16 year professional career as striker, where he played for Reading in the Premier League, and also represented Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City.
His drink driving conviction is after he was stopped and breathalysed by police officers as he drove in Shields Road, near Cleadon, at 11.50pm on January 18 (2026).
Lita initially pleaded not guilty to the drink driving charge on the basis police had allegedly blundered with his breath test reading, however he later changed his plea to guilty.