FORMER OXFORD United star Joey Beauchamp has admitted drink-driving after being caught at the wheel while more than three times over the alcohol limit.

The 38-year-old life’s had “slowly gone downhill” after a career which saw him named United’s player of the 1990s, Oxford Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

Beauchamp, of Titup Hall Drive, Wood Farm, failed a breath test after police stopped him in Scott Road, Cutteslowe, on Monday, August 10.

The court was told wrangles over the fitting of an MFI kitchen were the final straw for the former winger, who is now on anti-depressants.

Unemployed Beauchamp, wearing a black suit, limped to the dock and sat biting his nails and wringing his hands throughout the 10-minute hearing.

Howard Wilson, defending, said Beauchamp’s football career was wrecked by a toe injury, which has left him disabled.

He said that after Beauchamp’s playing days ended, he become a professional gambler, earning £200,000 a year at the racetrack, but had now hit rock bottom.

Mr Wilson added: “His life has slowly gone downhill. It may surprise you the crunch in his life came about as a result of a kitchen being fitted by MFI.

“After attempts and going back and forth for this expensive kitchen, in the end it was never completed, as MFI went into liquidation.

“That got to him and was the final straw.”

Since the kitchen incident Beau-champ had sought psychiatric help and was on anti-depressants, Mr Wilson added.

Beauchamp married in 2007. His wife gave birth to their child, who has an untreatable eye problem, the court was told.

Jon Trussler, prosecuting, said Beauchamp was seen by police getting into his car outside the Dew Drop inn, in Banbury Road, Oxford, on August 10.

He appeared to be drunk and the officers followed him for a short distance before stopping his VW Golf GTi.

A roadside breath test showed Beauchamp had 105 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35mg.

Beauchamp, who was described as co-operative at all times, was arrested and taken to St Aldate’s police station, where a second breath test showed 104mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath.

Dr Leslie Anderson, the presiding magistrate, adjourned the case and asked for a probation report, adding the court wanted to pass a sentence that could address Beauchamp’s drinking.

Beauchamp was granted bail until he appears at the court to be sentenced on Friday, September 11.