Footy star Majak Daw learns his fate after judge said he ‘could have killed someone’ by driving on footpath while three times over alcohol limit

Former AFL star Majak Daw has been given a two year driving ban after after he drunkenly drove down a footpath in an incident that a judge said ‘could have killed someone’.

Daw fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday for a series of serious offences including charges for driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and failing to accompany police.

The 32-year-old ex-North Melbourne player pleaded guilty to all of the offences.

The court heard that on February 21, Daw was seen by police driving his ute along a footpath near a shopping centre in Braybrook.

Police officers stopped the former ruckman and conducted a breath test which revealed the presence of alcohol.

The ex-North Melbourne player pleaded guilty to all of the offences

Daw was taken to Sunshine police station where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.160 – more than three times the legal driving limit.

Daw was banned from driving immediately.

Just weeks before the incident, Daw crashed his Ford into a pole at Ascot Vale.

When officers arrived at the site in the early hours of the morning, they found Daw ‘unsteady on his feet’ and ‘smelling of liquor’.

Daw had keys to the car in his pocket and told police he had been out drinking. 

A breath test revealed that alcohol was present in the footy player’s system, but he refused to accompany officers to the police station. 

He was warned repeatedly that he could lose his license for failing to comply, but he repeatedly refused to go with police.

Daw left the scene of the accident in an ambulance on his way to Royal Melbourne Hospital.

A judge said the former footy star could have killed someone by driving his car on a footpath

Daw’s defence lawyer said that the footy star had a history of mental health issues

On March 29, Daw appeared at Flemington police station and told police that he was the driver of the Ford that had crashed into a pole.

John Marquis, Daw’s defence lawyer, explained that the footy star had a history of mental health issues and was suffering a depressive episode that led him to be intoxicated prior to the second incident.

Marquis also said Daw had since completed a 28-day program, and was receiving counselling, to deal with his issues. 

In December of 2018 Daw tried to take his life by jumping off Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge.

He survived the impact with the water 25m below, but his injuries were severe.

Daw now works for the AFL and visits schools to promote cultural diversity.

Judicial Registrar Ms Stephanie Keogh-Barnes acknowledged the Sudan-born player’s efforts to rehabilitate himself.

In 2018 Daw tried to take his life by jumping off Melbourne’s Bolte Bridge

The judge also agreed that a conviction could impact his future employment and community work.

However, Ms Keogh-Barnes said the offences were a very serious matter.

‘Driving on the footpath with an extremely high alcohol content … someone could have been killed,’ she said.

Daw was fined $2500 and had his licence cancelled for two years.

Daw was ordered to complete a road trauma seminar and placed on a 12-month adjourned undertaking.

No convictions were recorded.

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