FORMER Wrexham footballer James Hurst has been granted permission by a crown court judge to appeal drink-driving and drunk and disorderly convictions.

Hurst, who once played in the top level of English football but more recently with Wrexham AFC, received a 20 months ban for drink-driving. The player, who police said had bragged he was a millionaire “star,” appeared before Caernarfon crown court on Friday and the appeal will be held on a date to be fixed.

Hurst, 26, a full-back who has played for West Bromwich Albion, had failed to turn up for a trial at Llandudno magistrates’ court. He was convicted of driving a Ford Focus in Wrexham high street with a breath-alcohol count of 60 – the legal limit being 35 – and being drunk and disorderly last December.

Hurst had denied those charges but pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to bail for his trial on April 5. “I was otherwise engaged,” he told magistrates when he was brought before them in the dock.

During the sentencing hearing, the player was warned by the court chairman it was an offence to fill in an income form incorrectly. When the magistrates said they didn’t accept his completed declaration, Hurst told court chairman Brian Cossey :”That’s your problem.”

He was fined £770 for drink-driving, £330 on both of the other charges, with £877 costs – a total of £2,307.

James Neary, prosecuting, had told magistrates Hurst, of Somerville Road, Sutton Coldfield, had driven the wrong way along a one-way street. But he apologised for his mistake to a PC and alcohol wasn’t smelled at that stage.

PC Sarah Smith said Hurst told her he hadn’t drunk any alcohol because he had a match. He was allowed to turn the car around and drive off.

PC Smith said she returned to Wrexham police station but minutes later had been informed that Hurst was urinating against the wall of the Nationwide building society and he was unsteady on his feet.

Hurst went into a pub but the officer attended there. She then breathalysed and arrested him.

The officer said he stated: "I’m a millionaire, I will take the ban and pay the fine. I don’t give a f---."

"I would describe his attitude as arrogant. He showed no remorse for what he had been arrested for,” PC Smith told the magistrates last week.

PC Anita Hickish said Hurst insisted ”I’m a star” and he said police could “Google” him. He allegedly told police when asked to sign a document: "You can sell that”.

Mr Neary said inquiries showed he had nothing to drink at the pub where police found him after he’d driven. But CCTV showed he had eight pints before getting in the car earlier.

The prosecutor added that Hurst had no previous convictions. “Had he sought legal representation perhaps he would have been advised about the strength of his case,” Mr Neary remarked.

Hurst represented himself at Caernarfon.