Banned drink driver Joelinton back behind wheel two months after Newcastle United star’s arrest

Newcastle United star Joelinton has been seen driving a car while in Brazil, two months after receiving a UK ban for driving under the influence.

The pictures shared by girlfriend Thays Gondim on Instagram show Joelinton at the wheel wearing a summery get-up as he enjoyed time away in his home country.

The 26-year-old flew to South America, despite being left out of the Brazil squad for the upcoming international fixtures, while the rest of the Newcastle United squad jetted off to Dubai for a training camp. The £40million Brazilian linked up with his teammates at the club’s Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex training base on Wednesday. The squad, including Joelinton, flew back to the UK on Friday.

The Magpies midfielder was fined £31,085 and banned from driving for 12 months when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 26.

The driving ban would make Joelinton's UK DVLA licence invalid but he would be able to drive in another country with another valid non-DVLA licence.

Joelinton had drunk two glasses of wine when pulled over by police in Ponteland earlier this year and was found to have 43mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath when tested. The legal limit is 35 mcg.

After being banned from the roads, the Premier League star wrote an emotional apology to fans and residents in the North East.

He said: "Hi everyone, I wanted to acknowledge that I made a mistake and to publicly apologise to all the fans of Newcastle and all the people of this city. My actions unintentionally put other people in danger. For that, I am truly sorry.

"I will learn the lessons from this incident and will do everything I can to be a role model for my family, for football and for society."

At the time, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe also spoke of Joelinton's 'remorse' for the crime and added that the club would back him.

Howe said: “It came very much as a shock. It’s a difficult situation. Joe is very remorseful, he was very upset yesterday. I think he knows the seriousness of the situation.

“Obviously I can’t go into too much detail out of respect for the case, but I think he understands his responsibilities.

“We’re now in a position where we’re supporting him and we also understand as a football club the seriousness of the situation.

“Everything will be dealt with internally. Looking at Joe as a person, he is a very good professional and is hugely passionate about his career and the club.

“I was very much surprised by what happened. But we will back him and support him, while also educating him and helping him, that is important. He is very young, everyone makes mistakes. I think it is also important that we don’t overreact.”

Newcastle United were approached for comment in relation to this story, but are yet to respond to NewcastleWorld.