Trevor Sinclair pleads guilty to drink-driving and racially abusing police officer

The former England footballer was summoned to Blackpool Magistrates' Court over charges including driving while unfit through drink and assault on a police officer

(Getty)

Former England footballer Trevor Sinclair has pleaded guilty to drink-driving and a racially aggravated public order offence against a police officer.

Sinclair, 44, was arrested in Lytham on November 12 after police were called to his home in Lancashire.

Blackpool Magistrates' Court today heard how he became agitated and accused the officer who arrested him of being racist. He then racially abused the officer who arrested him.

Sinclair has since accepted the police were not racist towards him.

The court also heard that Sinclair urinated in a police car during the arrest.

After he pleaded guilty to drink driving and a racially aggravated public order offence, the prosecution decided to drop other charges which included assault on a police officer, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, criminal damage to property under the value of £5,000 and indecent conduct in a police station.

Sinclair played for England at the 2002 World Cup (Getty)

His solicitor, Nick Freeman, said that Sinclair was “totally appalled by his behaviour, embarrassed and contrite”.

Sinclair played for England 12 times, including at the 2002 Fifa World Cup. His playing career included spells at Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United, Manchester City and Cardiff City.

In recent years he has worked as a pundit for the BBC.

He is expected to be sentenced later today. The hearing continues.