- The ex-Parramatta star had drunk several glasses of scotch
- He pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving charges
A former NRL player, who now works as a real estate agent, has been fined $800 and banned from driving for three months after he pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving charge.
Broderick Wright, who played for the Parramatta Eels and the Cronulla Sharks, appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Thursday.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the Ray White director had drunk multiple glasses of scotch during an eight-hour binge at his office in western Sydney.
The court heard that he had ‘numerous scotch drinks between 1pm and 9.30pm’ at his office. It is also understood that he had two tacos for lunch with the drinks.
Submissions from his legal counsel blamed the offence on his recent business hardships, with his solicitor, Paul Wiggins, telling the court that the former NRL star was remorseful for what he had done noting that he was of good character.
Wright had been said to be two-and-a-half times over the legal limit, with the court hearing that he had returned a reading of 0.134 after being tested by police at Harris Park on September 11.
The father-of-two had been pulled over by officers after 11pm on Ruse Street.
The officers had been alerted by the ‘nature of his driving’ and immediately admitted his guilt to the police.
‘In the opinion of the arresting police, (Wright) appeared to be moderately affected by the intoxicating liquor,’ a statement from the police had said.
‘I am in the wrong,’ he had said. ‘I have been drinking a lot.’
Former Parramatta Eels star Broderick Wright (centre) pleaded guilty to a mid-range drink-driving charge
Wright is a successful estate agent but will now be banned from driving for three months
Wiggins said that Wright came from ‘a very good pedigree, very good stock.’ In his case, the court was also told that Wright has been involved in charity work in the past.
He added: ‘He [Wright] unreservedly accepts he’s done the wrong thing.’
Wright will now have an interlock breathalyser device installed into his car for 12 months after his driving ban has been completed.
Magistrate Timothy Khoo had said that a conviction was inevitable before speaking on his driving history.
‘It’s not a terrible driving history but neither is it a flawless one,’ he said.
Wright would go on to also represent the Cronulla Sharks, making 27 appearances for the club
Wright had joined the Eels in 2008, with the former prop going on to make 13 appearances for Parramatta. He joined the Sharks in 2010, making 27 appearances for the club before moving to France to join league side Pia in 2011.
He has won multiple awards over the years and is ranked as one of Australia’s elite agents, having sold 53 properties this year with a median price of around $1.40million.
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