Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin has been arrested for drink-driving after fleeing the police and getting caught at more than double the legal limit.
The 47-year-old did a U-turn away from a random breath test site and was chased by officers to a nearby side street in North Gosford, on the Central Coast, on Thursday.
The ‘devastated’ Star 104.5 morning radio host said she had ‘let everyone down’ in an emotional statement after being charged with mid-range drink-driving.
‘I’ve let everyone down’: Masterchef winner Julie Goodwin has been arrested for drink-driving after fleeing police and getting caught at more than DOUBLE the legal limit
Julie had been driving home from a ‘celebratory function’ that she was catering when she was stopped by police and failed the random breath test.
She was taken to Gosford Police Station, where her blood alcohol reading was seen to be 0.107 — more than double the legal limit.
She was charged and her licence was suspended on the spot, however police said she was not charged for trying to flee the RBT.
Julie said she felt ‘great shame and regret’ and said her actions were ‘completely out of character,’ in a lengthy statement following the arrest.
Caught: The 47-year-old did a U-turn away from a random breath test site and was chased by officers to a nearby side street in North Gosford on Thursday (pictured on Masterchef in 2009)
‘It is with great shame and regret that I write these words,’ she wrote.
‘Last night while driving home from a celebratory function I had catered, I was stopped by police and subjected to a random breath test which I failed. I have subsequently been charged with mid-range drink driving.
‘Needless to say I accept full responsibility for this error in judgment, which I believe is completely out of character for me.’
Julie, who appeared on Australia’s first season of Masterchef eight years ago, added: ‘I want to take the opportunity to offer a heartfelt and unreserved apology to my family, my colleagues, and to the broader community.
‘I would also like to apologise to everyone that has supported me over many years, I have let you all down.
Oh dear: Julie had been driving home from a ‘celebratory function’ that she was catering when she was stopped by police and failed the random breath test
‘I am devastated that I have acted in a way so contrary to what I believe, to how I usually conduct myself, and to what I have taught my children.’
The former I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here star concluded: ‘Many lessons will flow from this, and I will learn from each of them.’
Brisbane Water Chief Inspector Nigel Webber confirmed that police were holding a roadside RBT on the Pacific Highway at North Gosford when Julie approached in her Mini Cooper.
‘Police will allege a Mini Cooper sedan approached the RBT site before conducting a U-turn and driving away,’ Chief Insp Webber told the Daily Telegraph.
Police followed her car to a nearby side street close to her cooking school and restaurant Julie’s Place.
They confirmed that ‘a 47-year-old woman from Niagara Park’ failed a road side breath test before being arrested. She will face Gosford Local Court on May 25.
Remorse: ‘I am devastated that I have acted in a way so contrary to what I believe, to how I usually conduct myself, and to what I have taught my children,’ she said in a statement