Rentmeister facing sack after drink driving conviction

Defender Jeffrey Rentmeister was seen speeding and overtaking other cars in a BMW X5, before being stopped by police.

Belgian-born Rentmeister, 30, of Queens Manor, Bailey, Avenue, St Annes, pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol.

He was disqualified from driving for 14 months and fined £2,000 with £85 costs plus £120 victims’ surcharge by Blackpool magistrates.

Rentmeister said he would pay the financial penalties immediately, but he was given seven days to pay the full amount by the court.

Nathan Cook, defending, said: “It is understood, that possibly, this offence may be put forward as a ground by the club to dismiss him.”

Pam Smith, prosecuting, said police saw Rentmeister driving a BMW on Blackpool Promenade on January 11 at 1.25am.

He was speeding and overtaking other vehicles. Officers followed him and stopped the car in Corporation Street.

A blood test showed 114 milligrams of alcohol in his body - 80 is the limit. The defendant had no previous convictions recorded in this country.

Nathan Cook, defending, said that the night of the offence his client had gone out with a colleague and had had no intention of driving.

Rentmeister had been training that day and was due to train the following day. The colleague had too much to drink, so Rentmeister, who believe he was not over the limit, offered to drive back.

Mr Cook said that it was a difficult time for Blackpool Football Club, which was fighting for its survival in the Championship, and a difficult time for Rentmeister, who had come over here last year for his first big break into football in this country. He had won player of the month last year.

Mr Cook added: “He was released a few weeks ago to go back to Belgium to train with other clubs there. Possibly his days with Blackpool are numbered and he may have to go back to Belgium.”