Tindall due in court

Mike Tindall is due in court on Friday for a hearing to decide what sentence he should receive for drink driving.

England centre Mike Tindall is due in court on Friday for a hearing to decide what sentence he should receive for drink driving.

Although the 30-year-old Gloucester back admitted the charge before magistrates in July, his lawyer, Richard Mallet, has requested a 'special reasons' hearing to put forward arguments in his client's defence.

Mallet said in July that a medical expert would be called to present the special circumstances of the case.

At the time of his offence, Tindall was out of action with a bruised liver, an injury suffered while playing against Wales.

Tindall, of Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, was found to be over the legal limit when police pulled him over on the M4 near Newbury, Berkshire, on March 15, the morning after a day at the races in Cheltenham with long-term partner Zara Phillips. He was arrested and charged after failing a breath test.
He had been driving, alone, to Twickenham in his Range Rover Sport to commentate on England's Six Nations game against Ireland.

Friday's hearing, at Newbury Magistrates' Court, is listed for 10am local time.