Michelle Bridges admits drink driving case ‘toughest time of my life’

Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges arrives at court last week before pleading guilty to drink driving

Michelle Bridges admits being hauled before the courts for drink driving was ‘the toughest time of my life’.

The former Biggest Loser star and celebrity trainer was caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.086 with her five-year-old son in the car about 11.25am on Australia Day.

Bridges, 49, has called the experience humiliating, particularly as it revealed her messy split with boyfriend and former-co star Steve ‘Commando’ Willis.

On Wednesday she spoke for the first time since her tearful apology outside Waverley Local Court after sentencing a week ago.

‘The last month has been the toughest time of my life,’ she wrote on Instagram.

‘What I’d like to say is thank you – to my loved ones, my friends, my team, and to all who have reached out to me. 

‘I have received so many messages of kindness from both strangers and people I know. The biggest thank you to you all. 

‘I know the remorse and guilt won’t go away, but I’m determined to keep moving forward, working hard and being thankful for all the good in my life.’

On Wednesday she spoke for the first time since her tearful apology outside court, alongside this photo of her gazing at the ocean

On Wednesday she spoke for the first time since her tearful apology outside court, alongside this photo of her gazing at the ocean

Soon after being convicted of drink driving, a teary Bridges said outside court 'I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment'

Soon after being convicted of drink driving, a teary Bridges said outside court ‘I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment’

Her series of grovelling apologies is likely aimed at mitigating the substantial financial fallout of her various endorsements, and her training business.

Bridges pleaded guilty after being pulled over in her Range Rover with her son Axel  as she drove through Bellevue Hill, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. 

She was fined $750, her licence was disqualified for three months, and she will be required to install an alcohol interlock device in her car for a year. 

‘I would like to take this opportunity to express my deep remorse, shame and humiliation (over) this incident and extreme lack of judgment,’ she said outside court last Tuesday.

‘I would like to apologise to my family, friends and community for this gross error in judgment and the consequences of these actions will haunt me forever.

‘I ask for your forgiveness to my greater community and my family and I thank you for your support.’

Bridges pleaded guilty to a charge of mid-range drinking driving, after she was stopped for a random roadside breath test in Sydney's east on Australia Day

Bridges pleaded guilty to a charge of mid-range drinking driving, after she was stopped for a random roadside breath test in Sydney’s east on Australia Day

Moments earlier her lawyer Tony Bellanto QC argued she shouldn’t be hit with a criminal conviction because of the ‘millions of kilograms’ she helped Australians shed. 

‘Over 10 years she is responsible for the Australian public losing two million kilograms in weight,’ Mr Bellatoni told the court during sentencing. 

‘Now that’s powerful – two million kilograms over ten years.’  

‘A conviction would act as a ‘scar on her record for the rest of her life … when in fact she’s a good mother, she’s hardworking and this has had a most profound effect on her life.

‘It’s a special case, she’s a special person’.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins rebuked the submission saying ‘Are you advancing that there is a special tier of justice to a person who has special standing in the community?’

The magistrate said though she appreciated Bridges had been humiliated, the fact she had been going through a tough time would have been cold comfort to victims had she had an accident.

HOW MICHELLE CLAIMS SHE BLEW 0.086 AT 11.25AM 

Bridges claims it was four vodka sodas, a glass of wine and a swirl of mouthwash that put her over the limit. 

In a police statement of facts, officers said Bridges was driving her son home from the beach at Nielsen Park when police her ‘break suddenly and change lanes’.

When police approached her vehicle, Bridges ‘appeared nervous, her hands were shaking and her voice was trembling. Her face was flushed.’

Bridges told officers she had ‘used mouth wash within five minutes before being stopped and stated she had consumed alcohol ‘last night’.

During a later police interview, Bridges told officers she had drunk a glass of wine with dinner followed by four vodka sodas between 8pm on January 25 and 1am on the day she was caught.

In a police statement of facts, officers said Bridges was driving her son home from the beach at Nielsen Park when police her ‘break suddenly and change lanes’.

When police approached her vehicle, Bridges ‘appeared nervous, her hands were shaking and her voice was trembling. Her face was flushed.’

Bridges told officers she had ‘used mouth wash within five minutes before being stopped and stated she had consumed alcohol ‘last night’.

During a later police interview, Bridges told officers she had drunk a glass of wine with dinner followed by four vodka sodas between 8pm on January 25 and 1am on the day she was caught.

She declined an opportunity to draw blood at hospital for alcohol analysis.  

After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a 'very difficult time ... dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship' with Steve 'Commando' Willis at the time (pictured together)

After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a ‘very difficult time … dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship’ with Steve ‘Commando’ Willis at the time (pictured together)

The fitness guru was supported by several minders as she arrived at Waverley Local Court last Tuesday morning

The fitness guru was supported by several minders as she arrived at Waverley Local Court last Tuesday morning

Bridges with her ex-partner Steve Willis who shared a cryptic post to Instagram on Sunday saying 'So many things to be grateful for'

Bridges with her ex-partner Steve Willis who shared a cryptic post to Instagram on Sunday saying ‘So many things to be grateful for’ 

Bridges looked stressed as she emerged from a car with a team of lawyers and supporters last Tuesday morning and made her way into the court house dressed in a black suit, heels and a frilly pink polka-dot top. 

After she was charged on January 26, Bridges released a statement claiming she was going through a ‘very difficult time … dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship’ with Steve ‘Commando’ Willis at the time.   

‘I would like to express my deep regret for breaking the law, this was a terrible mistake and an error of judgment,’ Bridges said in a statement.

‘This behaviour is inexcusable, and I am absolutely devastated and embarrassed to find myself in this position. 

‘It has been a very difficult time for me the last few weeks dealing with the break-up of my long-term relationship.’

Her ex-partner Willis posted a cryptic Instagram message to Instagram earlier this week, saying: ‘So many things to be grateful, joyous and happy for in this very moment. What are you grateful for right now in this very moment?’

Bridges and Commando, her on air colleague, went public with their relationship in 2013, after years working together on The Biggest Loser. 

Bridges has written several weight loss and fitness books and started the 12 Week Body Transformation online business.  

Bridges legal team told the court hers was a special case because she had helped Australians lose 'millions of kilograms' through her many fitness ventures

Bridges legal team told the court hers was a special case because she had helped Australians lose ‘millions of kilograms’ through her many fitness ventures

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