Newcastle striker Remy pleads not guilty to drink driving charge



Newcastle United striker Loic Remy has pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink driving.



The 27-year-old is alleged to have driven his Porsche while over the limit on Sunday, March 9, a weekend when the Magpies had no fixture.



Remy – currently on a season-long loan from QPR - appeared at the city’s Magistrates’ Court where it was heard that he was stopped by police driving a Porsche Cayenne along the A696 Woolsington Bypass in Newcastle.



Defiant: Newcastle striker Loic Remy, pictured here leaving Newcastle Magistrates Court on Wednesday, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of drink driving

Trouble: Remy is alleged to have driven his Porsche while over the limit on March 9

Defence: Remy's solicitor asked for his client's World Cup participation to be considered when setting a trial date

District Judge Stephen Earl said: ‘It is said on March 9 you were stopped on the Woolsington Bypass after consuming so much alcohol your breath exceeded the limit.’



The roadside breath test gave a reading of 56 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, the limit being 35 microgrammes.



Remy’s defence solicitor, Jonathan Dunkley, asked for his client’s expected participation at this summer’s World Cup in Brazil to be considered when setting a trial date.



Mr Dunkley said: ‘He has commitments in Rio de Janeiro around May. He is confident he will be a part of the squad. He may be there for two months but may be back sooner.’



When asked, France forward Remy said he was due to leave for Brazil on May 13 before returning on July 12.



Interested: Newcastle boss Alan Pardew is hoping to sign Remy on a permanent deal from QPR this summer

Big day: Remy, pictured here scoring against Aston Villa, will have a trial on July 15 International duty: Remy is set to represent France at this summer's World Cup in Brazil

A trial date of July 15 was set for Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

