Former Australian batter David Warner was “reckless” and “foolish” to have been drinking and driving, according to his lawyer.
The 39-year-old returned a positive result for alcohol after police officers breath tested him in Sydney on April 5.
He allegedly blew 0.104 in a secondary test at Maroubra Police Station,more than double the legal alcohol limit in Australia.
Warner was charged with mid-range drink driving and was not required to appear in Waverley Local Court in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs when his matter was first mentioned and adjourned.
The Sydney Thunder Big Bash captain has not yet entered a plea, but his lawyer, Bobby Hill, suggested a guilty plea at a later time when speaking to media outside the courthouse.
“It’s not a crime to have a glass of wine on the day of the Lord’s resurrection,” Hill said.
“His crime is, as I said, choosing a foolish plan A instead of a plan B.”
The lawyer said Warner’s last drink came about 11 minutes before he was pulled over, with police also accused of taking 52 minutes to perform the second breathalyser.
Hill said Warner is remorseful for his actions and will ask for leniency but expects to be punished the same as any other New South Wales citizen.
“This case before the court is a reminder to everyone in the public about the dangers of self-assessments,” Hill said.
“I know David is looking forward to putting this matter behind him and focusing his efforts on re-contributing to those people in the community”.
After Warner was charged in April, Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon described the allegations as “concerning” and said they were being taken “very seriously”.
“At Cricket NSW, we are strong advocates for safe driving, not drink-driving,” Germon said.
