2 weeks ago
David Warner convicted, fined A$1,500 for Sydney drink-driving
David Warner is a very famous cricket player from Australia.
He used to play for Australia's national team and now does commentary and leads cricket teams.
One Easter weekend, he drank three glasses of wine at a friend's house and then drove his family home.
Police stopped him and found he had more than twice the legal amount of alcohol in his body.
He also tried to switch seats with another passenger when he saw the police, but he was caught anyway.
A judge said what he did was wrong because driving after drinking is dangerous, and children were in the car.
The judge fined him 1,500 Australian dollars and said he must put a special machine in his car.
The machine checks his breath and will not let the car start if it finds alcohol.
The judge said famous people have to follow the same rules as everyone else.
Former Australia cricketer David Warner was convicted of mid-range drink-driving and fined A$1,500 (about US$1,065) by Waverley Local Court in Sydney on August 18.
Warner recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.104, more than twice the legal limit, after the Easter Sunday incident on April 5 in Maroubra, eastern Sydney.
The 39-year-old attempted to swap seats with a female passenger when approaching a roadside breath-testing site, and the offence was aggravated because children were in the car.
He was ordered to install an alcohol interlock device in his vehicle for 12 months, which prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol in the driver's system.
Judge Clare Farnan said Warner deserved no special treatment despite his lawyer arguing that global media coverage had hurt his commercial opportunities, and questions remain over his Sydney Thunder captaincy.
- Who
- David Warner, the 39-year-old former Australia cricketer, captain of the Big Bash League's Sydney Thunder and the Pakistan Super League's Karachi Kings, and a Fox Sports commentator.
- What
- Convicted of mid-range drink-driving, fined A$1,500 (about US$1,065 / £787) and ordered to install an alcohol interlock device in his vehicle for 12 months.
- Where
- Waverley Local Court in Sydney, Australia; the offence took place in Maroubra, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
- When
- Sentenced on Tuesday, August 18, at Waverley Local Court; the incident occurred on April 5 (Easter Sunday).
- Why
- Warner recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.104, more than twice the legal limit, after drinking three glasses of wine and driving his family home, having attempted to swap seats to avoid a roadside breath test.
Warner's legal team
Court and Cricket NSW
Should Warner be spared conviction?
Warner's legal team
Lawyer Awais Ahmad argued Warner should be spared conviction because global media coverage produced profound consequences, including affected commercial opportunities in countries such as India and Bangladesh, and questioned NSW Police's decision to issue a press release.
Court and Cricket NSW
Judge Clare Farnan said Warner should not receive special treatment because of his public profile and that the need to deter the public from drink-driving was paramount in her decision to convict.
Sydney Thunder captaincy
Warner's legal team
The conviction raised questions over whether Warner, who captains the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League, should retain the captaincy for the upcoming BBL season.
Court and Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW declined to comment on Warner's position as Thunder captain, stating it takes the incident seriously and remains committed to educating players on safe driving.
Key facts
- Fine
- A$1,500 (approximately US$1,065 / £787)
- Blood-alcohol reading
- 0.104, more than twice the legal limit
- Offence
- Mid-range drink-driving
- Court
- Waverley Local Court, Sydney
- Incident date
- April 5 (Easter Sunday), Maroubra, Sydney
- Additional penalty
- 12-month alcohol interlock device
- Judge
- Clare Farnan
- Plea
- Guilty, entered in July
Quotes
Judge Clare Farnan
Criminal court judge in Sydney
“Judge Clare Farnan said there was evidence of cruel social media commentary directed at Warner and his wife Candice Warner. But said the need to deter the public from drink‑driving was paramount in her decision to convict him, and the offence was aggravated because children were in the car at the time.”
thehansindia.com
“I accept Mr Warner is unlikely to re-offend, (But) regrettably, drink‑driving is still a significant factor in many crashes in New South Wales.”
deccanchronicle.com
republicworld.com
wionews.com
Awais Ahmad
Warner’s lawyer
“"The consequences of which are profound and Commercial opportunities [are] being affected."”
wionews.com
NSW Cricket spokesperson
Official spokesperson for NSW Cricket
“"We continue to take this incident seriously, including educating all players on the importance of safe driving."”
wionews.com
Bobby Hill
Warner’s lawyer
“He accepts that was a reckless decision, a foolish decision to get in his car instead of taking an Uber.”
firstpost.com
Sources
Warner convicted and fined AUD 1500 for drink-driving case
Former Australian Cricketer Warner Convicted, Fined For Drink-Driving
Warner convicted, fined for drink-driving even as lawyer points at media trial
Sydney Court Fines David Warner, Orders Interlock Device Over Drink-Driving Charge
David Warner convicted in drink-driving case; Sydney Thunder captaincy hangs in balance
David Warner convicted, fined after drink-driving incident in Sydney
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