A professional footballer from Lewisham has been forced to apologise after he was caught driving while banned.

Portsmouth FC defender Anton Walkes admitted to a charge of driving while disqualified and without insurance at Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court this week (November 28).

In a club statement he said: “I would like to apologise to the club and supporters for this serious error in judgement.

“I have accepted my punishment and want to learn from this experience to grow as a person.

“I want to thank everyone at the club for the support they have shown me and I’m determined to pay them back through my actions on the pitch.”

The 21-year-old has also been sentenced to carry out 120 hours of community service and, on top of receiving a fine, his driving ban was extended.

A Portsmouth FC spokesman said he missed an earlier court appearance because “the details were sent to an old address”.

Walkes, who was born in Lewisham, began his professional career at Tottenham Hotspur before being shipped out on loan to new Major League Soccer club Atlanta United in the US.

It was during his time in north America that he would play against former England international Ashley Cole and ex-Charlton Athletic striker Bradley Wright-Phillips.

The defender later joined current club Portsmouth on a short-term loan deal and then sign permanently this past July.

Charlton will soon be in action against Walkes’ team when they travel to face first-placed Pompey in League One action on December 11.

Lee Bowyer’s men, who have won four straight league games, are set to host Doncaster Rovers in an FA Cup second round tie this weekend.