Dean Saunders wins appeal against 10-week jail sentence
Dean Saunders has won an appeal against his 10-week jail sentence.
The former Wolves boss, who also played for Aston Villa and Derby County was sentenced to 10 weeks in jail in August for failing to take a roadside breath test after being stopped on suspicion of drink driving.
The 55-year-old said he had only drunk "one pint" when he was stopped, but was told by one police officer "You can't even stand up" in footage of his arrest released by the authorities.
He spent just one day in custody and was given bail after his lawyers launched an appeal against his jail sentence.
Today (4 October) Judge Steven Everett, Honorary Recorder of Chester, quashed his immediate jail sentence and instead suspended the sentence for 18 months.
Judge Everett said he believed Saunders had "had a lot to drink" when stopped by police and "prevaricated" over taking a breath test before his solicitor arrived so the reading would be lower.
The Judge added that his "unsatisfactory behaviour" continued, and he had taken the "entirely wrong approach" at the magistrates' court in telling probation officers that he could not do work in the community because of his job as a TV pundit travelling the country watching football matches.
The court heard that Saunders was now willing to carry out community service and the only other realistic option was serving a sentence in jail.
Judge Everett added that the district judge had been right to jail Saunders but, that his previous good character and the prospect of rehabilitation, meant that he could suspend the jail sentence for 18 months.
Passing sentence, he added: "The sheer shame is going to live with you for the rest of your life."
He also ordered Dean Saunders to do 200 hours' work in the community - and he still has a 30-month road ban.
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