The former Liverpool footballer Dean Saunders has won his appeal against a prison sentence for failing to take a breath test after being stopped on suspicion of drink driving.

Saunders, 55, was jailed for 10 weeks by district judge Nicholas Sanders when he appeared at Chester magistrates court on 28 August, after admitting failing to comply with a roadside breath test and failing to provide a breath specimen.

He had been stopped by a police patrol in Chester city centre on 10 May after spending a day at the races. Saunders spent one day in custody and was given bail after his lawyers launched an appeal against his jail sentence.

On Friday, Judge Steven Everett, the honorary recorder of Chester, quashed the immediate jail sentence and suspended the 10-week prison sentence for 18 months.

Saunders was also ordered to do 200 hours’ unpaid work in the community. His 30-month driving ban remains.