Everton footballer handed driving ban and community service for cyclist hit-and-run

Everton footballer Darron Gibson has pleaded guilty to hitting a cyclist with his car and fleeing the scene as well as driving under the influence of alcohol.

The midfielder drove into three cyclists fixing a bike on the side of the road and caused cuts to the legs, elbow and hand of one cyclist, Philip Quinn who he hit directly with his black Nissan Skyline GT-R Nismo on the morning of August 16.

The 27-year-old, who moved to Everton from Manchester United in 2012, also wrote off the cyclist's bike, which was said to be worth £4,500.

Gibson then sped off before colliding with a petrol pump at a petrol station in his home town of Bowdon, Cheshire, with one of the station's attendants calling the police after becoming concerned when Gibson got out of the car with no shoes on and refuelled his car.

Chair of the bench Susanne O'Connell said that Gibson's failure to stop was "serious enough" to warrant a community order, while Gibson pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol, driving without due care and attention as well as failing to stop after an accident.

The Republic of Ireland international was sentenced to a 20-month driving ban for the offences and a 12-month community order of 200 hours unpaid work.

Gibson was also ordered by the court to pay £4,500 compensation for the damaged bike and £1000 to Quinn, while the two other cyclists will receive £100 compensation each. He will also cover court costs of £295.