CLARETS striker Andy Payton ended a "nightmare 48 hours" by being handcuffed and led half-naked into a police van.

A court heard how police who broke into the home of the player's estranged partner found him perched in a cupboard after he abandoned his car following a late-night smash.

The father-of-four, who had spent the evening at a pub before writing off the £20,000 Volkswagen Golf GTi car against the side of a house, told officers he was checking on his children's Christmas presents and claimed the vehicle had been stolen, the court was told.

Now Payton, of Badger Close, Accrington, is to complete 80 hours community punishment, and was fined £750 and told to pay £75 costs after he admitted failing to provide a specimen of breath and failing to stop after an accident.

He was disqualified from driving for three years and chairman Mrs Anne Gleasure told him he had made a serious effort to avoid the police.

Payton, 34, appeared before Burnley Magistrates following what his solicitor described as a "nightmare 48 hours," which had seen his undignified,"arrival at the town's police station handcuffed and half naked, after a spur of the moment mercy dash to his sick baby.

The solicitor said Payton would face disciplinary action at Burnley FC and may have his wages docked.

The court heard the footballer, who had "categorically refused" to give a breath test, and who had escaped a driving ban after being convicted of a similar offence nearly two years ago was said to have bragged: "I got off the last one and I will get off this one."

Margaret Duckworth, prosecuting, said at 11.20pm on Sunday, a young boy was watching television at home in Padiham, when he heard a bang and his house seemed to shake. He saw a car had crashed into the side of the property. A man he recognised as the defendant was walking around the front of the house.

Police were told the person in the car had walked off up Cemetery Road and went to a house on St Anne's Street, knocked and then banged on the door. Although neighbours were awakened, there was no response from the property.

Mrs Duckworth said officers forced entry and went upstairs where they could see the bottom half of a body sitting on a shelf in a walk-in cupboard.

Payton was asked what he was doing and said he was checking on Christmas presents he smelled strongly of drink, was extremely abusive and swore, she said.

She said he was asked if he had been driving, said his car had been stolen, was arrested and was taken to the police station. He was again abusive and said he wasn't going to provide a breath test until his barrister was there.

The prosecutor added that in February last year, Payton was convicted of failing to provide a specimen of breath, fined £270 and given four penalty points.

David Lawson, defending, said Payton, who had a prevailing complicated domestic situation, had not deliberately set out to drive. He had been out with a friend in Accrington, to watch football at a pub and had about six bottles of Budweiser. He took a taxi there and one back home. Payton knew he would be training the next morning and that he couldn't have too much to drink.

When he got home about 10.30pm, he got a call from his estranged partner saying his 10 month old daughter was not breathing well. He felt unable to make a considered judgement about the child and set off to Padiham in his car.

He said Payton lost control on a sharp bend about 50 yards from where his estranged partner lived and panicked. He walked a short distance to his estranged partner's house where she gave him a cup of tea and he tried to gather his thoughts..

Mr Lawson said the defendant realised the stupidity of his actions and thought of his family, the "bad press," and of his employers Burnley FC.

Payton did not accept he climbed into a cupboard or into the roof space to avoid detection. He claimed he was behind a door.

Mr Lawson said Payton had had a meeting with his employers and while the club did not condone what he had done, it was sympathetic and realised he was genuinely remorseful.

After the case Mr Lawson said Payton, who had been advised not to comment, was happy the matter had been resolved and wanted to put it behind him.

He was sorry the incident ever happened.

After the hearing, Burnley Football Club's chief executive Andrew Watson said: "We have no comment to make. I think we will make a comment at an appropriate time."