Everton striker and former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney has apologised for his "unforgivable lack of judgement" after pleading guilty to a drink-driving charge.

Rooney accepted the charge of drink driving on a night out while his pregnant wife and their three sons were on holiday.

The former England captain was stopped by police when driving a black Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, at 2am on September 1.

Rooney, 31, was later arrested and bailed and today he entered his guilty plea at Stockport Magistrates' Court.

He was banned from driving for two years and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.

Rooney said in a statement released to Press Association Sport: "Following today's court hearing I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgement in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong.

I want publicly to apologise for my unforgivable lack of judgement in driving while over the legal limit. It was completely wrong- Rooney

"I have already said sorry to my family, my manager and chairman and everyone at Everton FC. Now I want to apologise to all the fans and everyone else who has followed and supported me throughout my career.

"Of course I accept the sentence of the court and hope that I can make some amends through my community service."

Wearing a blue suit with his hands in his pockets, Rooney walked into the court building accompanied by a small entourage.

Rooney was given a warm welcome at Old Trafford on his return to former club Manchester United yesterday but it ended in disappointment with a 4-0 defeat for his boyhood club Everton, which he rejoined during the summer break.

He has been married to his high-school sweetheart Coleen since 2008 and they have three children together.

Mrs Rooney recently announced she is pregnant with their fourth child.

Rooney's legal team asked District Judge John Temperley to consider not imposing a community order because of his ongoing charitable work.

However the judge said he was "not convinced" that imposing a large fine "would have the same effect".

Rooney was also told to pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge for the same amount.

The court heard Rooney was almost three times the legal limit.

A breathalyser test showed his alcohol level was 104 microgrammes in 100 millilitres of breath.

The drink-drive limit in England and Wales is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

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