Burnley footballer Dale Stephens hit with a 12-month ban from driving

Burnley’s Dale Stephens has been given a 12-month driving ban before the club’s biggest game of the season.

The midfielder, whose side face Everton in a key relegation clash on Wednesday, was convicted on Tuesday after being stopped by police investigating the thefts of five Range Rovers.

The 32-year-old was pulled over on March 15 by a patrol who mistakenly believed Stephens’ £40,000 Range Rover Sport had been stolen in Cheshire’s Golden Triangle, home to a number of Premier League players.

It is thought the officers were about to let Stephens go, after establishing that he owned the vehicle, but then noticed he smelled of alcohol.

He subsequently failed a roadside breath test, which showed he was almost twice over the permitted limit.

Stephens, who had a passenger in the car, told police he had been for a meal that day and had a ‘few beers’. At Stockport Magistrates’ Court he admitted drink-driving, was disqualified for 12 months and fined £3,334.

Burnley have opened disciplinary proceedings but Stephens is expected to be in their next squad.