EX-WARRINGTON Wolves ace Lee Penny says he wants to get on with his career after narrowly escaping a jail sentence for drink driving.

Penny, 29, was banned from driving for three years and must serve 100 hours' unpaid community work as part of a 12-month community and rehabilitation order.

He pleaded guilty at Wigan Magistrates' Court to two driving offences relating to an incident where he drove while five times over the legal drink-drive limit.

After the hearing, Penny, of Tanhouse Drive, Wigan, said it had been a difficult time for him and he was hoping to sign for a new team this week.

He said: "I just want to get on with playing rugby now."

The court heard that on January 11 this year, Penny was arrested when he crashed into a parked vehicle after his car swerved from one side of the road to the other.

Hanifa Patel, prosecuting, said that a witness saw Penny driving towards her on the wrong side of the road and had to flash her lights to make him swerve away.

She added that Penny was so drunk that he could not provide a breath test at the scene and that police had to get a blood sample from him later.

The rugby league player had been suffering from depression at the time of the offence following the end of his contract with Warrington Wolves.

Bill Pearson, representing Penny, said the rugby star had suffered extreme financial difficulties when he stopped playing and that the stress of this caused him to drink.

"He has spent his whole career being an ambassador for sport, especially for youngsters. I have never met anybody so ashamed of what he has done," said Mr Pearson.

Penny has been playing for Vale of Lune rugby union club in Lancaster and recently joined National League Two side, Chorley.