Sydney, August 18: Former Australian opener David Warner has been ordered to use an interlock device in his vehicle after being found guilty of drink-driving by a Sydney court.
The incident occurred on Easter Sunday, April 5, when Warner attempted to switch seats with a passenger near a random breath-testing site. The 39-year-old was fined AUD 1,500 for ‘mid-range’ drink-driving after being found with more than double the legal alcohol limit during the random breath test. Last month, Warner admitted to the drink-driving charges in a Sydney court.
The court set August 18 for the final sentencing, where Warner faced penalties under local traffic laws for the ‘mid-range’ drink-driving violation.
According to a report by cricket.com.au, Warner’s lawyer, Awais Ahmed, argued that his client should not be penalized further due to the extensive media coverage surrounding the incident.
Ahmed informed Waverley Local Court that Warner’s mistake had been widely reported by global media outlets, including ESPN and Al Jazeera. In countries like India and Bangladesh, where Warner may seek to play in T20 franchise leagues, a ‘non-drinking culture’ is prevalent. He stated, “The consequences of his offense are severe. It is affecting his professional opportunities.”
Being found guilty of having more than double the legal alcohol limit has raised doubts about Warner’s position as captain of the ‘Thunder’ for the upcoming BBL season.
Warner was arrested while returning home from a holiday in Pakistan, where he captained the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. However, after the allegations surfaced, he returned to Pakistan to continue his PSL campaign.
Ahmed also questioned the NSW police’s decision to issue a press release regarding Warner’s arrest, given the minor nature of the offense. He noted, “This led to significant media backlash.”
Judge Claire Fornan acknowledged evidence of cruel comments made about Warner and his wife, Candice Warner, on social media. However, she emphasized that the primary concern in the guilty verdict was to deter people from drink-driving, particularly since children were present in the car at the time.
Warner will be able to drive after applying for an ‘interlock license’ and installing the device in his vehicle. If the device detects alcohol in his system, it will prevent the car from starting.
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