Sydney, August 18: Former Australian opener David Warner has been found guilty in a drink-driving case by a Sydney court, which mandates him to use an interlock device while driving. The 39-year-old was fined AUD 1500 for ‘mid-range’ drink-driving after attempting to switch seats with a passenger upon arriving at a random breath-testing site on Easter Sunday.
The incident occurred on April 5, when Warner was driving and drew attention for stopping before the random breath-testing site. He was found to have more than double the legal alcohol limit during the breath test. Last month, Warner accepted the drink-driving charges in court.
The court set August 18 as the date for sentencing, where Warner faced penalties under local traffic laws for the ‘mid-range’ drink-driving violation. Warner’s lawyer, Awais Ahmed, argued that media coverage had already subjected his client to significant punishment, suggesting that the global media attention from outlets like ESPN and Al Jazeera had impacted Warner’s professional opportunities, especially in countries like India and Bangladesh, where a ‘non-drinking culture’ is prevalent.
The guilty verdict has raised doubts about Warner’s position as captain of the Thunder for the upcoming BBL season. He was arrested while returning home from a holiday in Pakistan, where he captained the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League. Despite the charges, Warner 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, citing the minor nature of the offense. Judge Claire Fornan noted evidence of cruel comments about Warner and his wife on social media but emphasized that the primary concern in the verdict was to deter people from drink-driving, especially 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 car, which will prevent the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected in his system.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.