Colchester United defender Fabrice Richard was banned from driving today after admitting driving with excess alcohol.

Colchester magistrates heard 26-year-old Richard, of Ash Way, Straight Road, Colchester, was stopped by police in his Renault Clio after a match in October. He was banned from driving for one year and ordered to pay a £300 fine and £50 costs.

A blood test reading revealed he had 109mgs of alcohol in 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 80.

Kim Kennedy, for Richard, said he had not eaten before the match and had three or four beers after the game.

After the hearing, U's secretary Marie Partner said Richard would face internal discipline.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.