Birmingham City star Marvin Ducksch has been told he is lucky to be alive after causing a serious three-car crash while over the drink-drive limit.
The German international was told he was lucky he had not killed himself and two female drivers in the late-night crash as he was ordered to pay the victims £1,000 each in compensation.
Leamington Spa Magistrates’ Court heard Ducksch stopped at the scene and checked on the other motorists, one of whom had a nosebleed and injuries to her forehead and thumb.
The 32-year-old pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving his Mercedes with excess alcohol, namely 53mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35mcg.
Magistrates were told the charge related to a collision on the A3400 near Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire at around 10.30pm on Easter Monday.
The crash happened hours after Ducksch had appeared as a substitute in Birmingham’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Prosecutor Lina Akther told the court: “The defendant identified himself to the officers and confirmed he was involved in the collision.
“The defendant stated to the officers that he was driving and he went to change his music and crashed and he wasn’t sure how.”
As a result of the crash Ducksch, who also claimed to have been avoiding a tree branch in the road, was arrested and breath-tested.
In a prepared statement to police, the court heard, Ducksch said he was driving home and admitted “he did have alcohol before he drove” and had “clipped an oncoming car and another one following behind”.
Ms Akther said: “He thought he would be under the limit and the defendant was apologetic in his prepared statement.”
Magistrates handed Ducksch a 14-month driving ban alongside a fine of £16,155, a total of £2,000 in compensation, a £2,000 surcharge and a bill for costs of £85.
The court agreed to allow Ducksch to pay off the total amount of £20,240 at a rate of £2,000 per month.
Imposing the fines, chairman of the bench John Kiely told the footballer, who lives in Solihull: “Thank you very much for your patience while we have been talking about this offence.
“We heard that there was an incident in which two vehicles were clipped.
“We have looked at the photographs (of the damaged cars).
“You can consider yourself lucky first of all that you weren’t killed and secondly that the other drivers weren’t killed.
“That’s how serious this matter is.”
During mitigation, defence solicitor Julia Morgan said Ducksch, whose former clubs include Werder Bremen and Borussia Dortmund, had a promising career ahead of him.
Ms Morgan told the three magistrates during the 20-minute hearing: “It’s abundantly clear that damage was caused to those vehicles and the lady concerned was injured during the course of this.”
Ducksch was comprehensively insured and the damage would be covered by the policy, she said.
Ms Morgan added: “Mr Ducksch waited at the scene for the police.
“They didn’t arrive immediately but he waited and he checked on the welfare of the occupants of the other vehicles.
“He is currently a young man who plays as a professional footballer for Birmingham City Football Club.
“Not only is he going to be subject to the sentence that you impose today – from a financial point of view he has also been penalised by Birmingham City for his actions that night.
“He has been penalised financially and further by not being permitted to play in a number of matches following this incident.
“That illustrates how seriously incidents of this nature are taken.”
The lawyer continued: “They (the club) have provided references.
“I hope you have had the opportunity to see them and read them.
“In essence they talk about a man of impeccable character in his conduct towards his team, his managers and the club itself.
“I myself have found him to be a most polite young man.
“It’s very unfortunate he has found himself in this position, now having a conviction from the courts.”
