Paul Carter was sacked after his second drink-driving offence in six months. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

In another public-relations disaster for the Titans, the club was left reeling after Carter, one of the NRL’s most exciting prospects, was charged with mid-range drink-driving while unlicensed.

The incident comes just a week after Greg Bird was caught urinating next to a police car at Byron Bay, prompting the Titans to fine him $15,000 and strip him of the co-captaincy.

Paul Carter cools off during Titans training at The Southport School. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

Carter, the son of Penrith five-eighth legend Steve, made his NRL debut in March and looked set for a prosperous career at the Titans after playing 21 games last season.

But his tenure at the Titans is effectively over after the 22-year-old was arrested by police at Surfers Paradise in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In June, Carter was fined $12,000 by the Titans and slapped with a two-match suspension for his first drinking offence.

The promising back-rower or hooker has the opportunity to present his case at a club tribunal this week, but the Titans board will almost certainly formalise his termination given his track record.

Gold Coast Titans' Greg Bird speaks publicly after being charged for urinating on a police car the night after his wedding at Byron Bay

Carter’s father Steve played 242 top-grade games and the Panthers icon hopes his son can shun the demon drink and secure a lifeline with another NRL club.

“I’m just disappointed,” Carter senior told The Courier-Mail.

“Football can come and go in a short space of time but my main concern is where Paul goes with his life.

“I try to look for positives in life and the only one I can find is that Paul has some problems and he needs to focus on them and not football.

“Paul has trouble with alcohol like many young people, that’s when he makes bad decisions.

“He’s been caught and now Paul hopefully gets help and decides to make changes that will make him a better person.”

Carter was set to play a key role in the Titans’ forward pack in 2015, but new coach Neil Henry said the club had given the utility enough chances.

Greg Bird speaks to the media after he was fined by NSW Police for urinating in public while in Byron Bay a day after his wedding Pic by David Clark Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s likely that he has played his last game for the club,” Henry said.

“We have put measures in to help Paul out and he was making progress. But to transgress again is unacceptable to the club, the fans and the rugby league community.

“We’re down a player now, Paul was a handy player and we are going to miss him on our roster, but we are fully aware we can’t have guys misbehaving at the club.”

Asked if he would address Titans players before the Christmas break, Henry said: “We don’t need to read the riot act before they go away ... we’ll go away for a few weeks and hopefully there’s no further incidents.”

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley was left stunned by the latest off-field saga to rock the club.

Gold Coast Titans CEO Graham Annesley speaks to the media about the sacking of Paul Carter on a second drink driving incident. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: News Corp Australia

“It’s the last thing we needed, I’m almost lost for words,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a few guys get into trouble and that has set us back.

“It’s very sad for Paul, this is a terrible way for him to end his career at the club if that’s what happens.

“This is firm action, but we are serious about this, the reputation of the club is more important than any one player.”