A drink-driving footballer who police claimed had boasted he was a millionaire “star” yesterday(WED)insisted he had no income and savings after appearing in court on an arrest warrant.

James Hurst, 26, a full-back who has played for West Bromwich Albion and more recently Wrexham AFC, was described as “arrogant” by a policewoman who breathalysed him.

He failed to turn up for a trial at Llandudno magistrates’ court last week.

He was convicted of driving a Ford Focus on 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 yesterday 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, and must pay £877 costs – a total of £2,307. A 20 months driving ban was imposed.

James Neary, prosecuting, said 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. “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.

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, defending himself, told the court he wasn’t in employment.