An 'exciting future prospect' at Norwich City, 19-year-old Diallang Jaiyesimi has been banned from driving for 18 months after being caught more than twice the legal alcohol limit in Norwich this month.
Currently on loan at Grimsby Town, forward Jaiyesimi was signed from non-league side Dulwich Hamlet for an undisclosed fee in January 2016 and is in the final year of his current contract, having finished as joint top scorer for City's under-23s last season.
Around 4.20am on August 5, he was driving his Mercedes A180 along Dereham Road after a night out with friends when he was stopped by police, Norwich Magistrates Court heard today.
He gave a reading of 81mgs of alcohol in 100ml of breath, more than twice the legal limit, and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
Simon Nicholls, mitigating for Jaiyesimi, said Norwich City are 'furious' with him.
'They said this is not how they expect their players to behave, young or old,' he told the court.
'He has really made a mess of all this and he is going to be sanctioned by the club as well. He is a clearly thoughtful young man who has made a mistake on this occasion. He is regarded as a real exciting future prospect and it doesn't help he has now appeared at court.'
Mr Nicholls said Jaiyesimi had gone out to meet friends in the city but had not intended to drink.
'From a fitness point of view he doesn't drink on occasions,' he said. 'On this occasion he bumped into some friends who bought him a drink, and one drink led to another.
'He decided it was not a very good idea and decided to go home. He didn't want to leave his car in the city for fear of vandals.'
He added Jaiyesimi is convinced there was nothing wrong with his driving at the time and it had been a random stop by police.
'He is absolutely clear in his own mind his driving was absolutely fine,' he said. 'He had a friend in the car and they saw the police car following them.
'In the early hours of the morning they stopped him, no doubt to find out what he was doing.
'I have told him the law isn't designed around how you feel and the fact he was clear-headed and not tired doesn't matter.'
Jaiyesimi, of Lapwing Drive, Costessey, was fined £485 and banned from driving for 18 months, with a victim surcharge of £48 and costs of £85.
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