Swansea player Raheem Hanley banned after admitting drink-driving

A Swansea City footballer hid car keys down his underpants in a bid to dodge a drink-driving arrest, a court was told.

Rising star Raheem Hanley, 21, was spotted driving a luxury Mercedes "at speed" by police through the city centre.

But the defender fled when police trailed the £40,000 car along the Strand, Swansea.

Swansea Magistrates Court heard cops tracked down Hanley using CCTV - and found the car keys hidden in his underwear.

The defender - who signed for the Premier League team from Blackburn Rovers last year - failed a breath test.

Hanley, of Pentrechwyth, Swansea, admitted drink-driving and using a motor vehicle without insurance and without a proper licence.

Rob Thomas, defending, said Hanley rarely drank because of his career as a professional player.

Mr Thomas added that Hanley had only driven the car - which belonged to a friend - "a very short distance" to move between parking spaces.

He denied running away from police.

Magistrates told Hanley he had been "foolish" - and banned him from driving for 14 months and fined him £2,000.