Merson handed driving ban

Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court was told that the former Arsenal and Aston Villa star, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, fell asleep at the wheel on the M40.

Merson, who suffered a head injury in the accident last October, was fined £1500 ($1539) and ordered to pay £105 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Magistrates heard that the Sky Sports pundit was driving to his home in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, after having "a few drinks" at a charity event in London.

Merson's Mercedes ML350 struck the rear of the heavy goods vehicle, damaging its rear lights and under-run bars, at about 3.15am on October 12.

Prosecutor Philippa Cowley said Merson, who was among several people who called the police, failed a roadside breath-test and was later found to have 124 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood - the legal limit is 80 mg.

Merson, 43, was standing on the hard shoulder when two police constables arrived at the scene, said Ms Cowley.

"It was clear that he had got a head injury and he was very frank with the police," the lawyer told the court.

"He said that he had fallen asleep and had been at a charity do for children and had had a few drinks."