CANBERRA Raiders league star Toddy Carney was today sentenced to 200 hours of community service and banned from driving until 2009.
The 21-year-old halfback pleaded guilty in ACT Magistrates Court yesterday to to negligent driving, driving while disqualified and failing to stop when directed by police.
He faced a possible six-month jail term yesterday but this morning was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, to be completed within 12 months.
He was also disqualified from driving for a further 12 months, meaning he will not be able to driving until the end of 2009.
Carney was fined $500 and ordered to pay $107 in court costs.
Three months ago Carney was convicted of drink driving and reckless driving. He was placed on a three-year good behaviour bond and disqualified from driving until December 2011, which was reduced on appeal to December 2008.
Yesterday, the court was told that just before 6pm on May 18, Carney decided to help out teammate Steve Irwin and drive him home from Ginninderra Tavern in Canberra's north, because Irwin had had too much alcohol and was unable to drive himself home.
According to the police statement read out in court, police estimated the ute was travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The court was told Carney did not stop after officers sounded their sirens. They put on their flashing lights and continued chasing the ute through back streets.
When Carney finally stopped in a dead-end street he fled the scene, leaving Irwin in the passenger seat, the court was told.
He handed himself in to police nearly four hours later.
Carney was immediately suspended from his club but was not sacked on the condition he undertook a five-step rehabilitation plan including working with young cancer victims.
Magistrate Maria Doogan yesterday warned Carney that he would end up behind bars with one more traffic offence. "You have to take responsibility for yourself,'' she said.
Following the hearing, Raiders general manager Don Furner said Carney could be playing again "within a month'' but the final decision rested with coach Neil Henry.
great result for him....... not even a slap on the wrist !! hahaha..
back in a month sounds good 2 !! CMON
The 21-year-old halfback pleaded guilty in ACT Magistrates Court yesterday to to negligent driving, driving while disqualified and failing to stop when directed by police.
He faced a possible six-month jail term yesterday but this morning was sentenced to 200 hours of community service, to be completed within 12 months.
He was also disqualified from driving for a further 12 months, meaning he will not be able to driving until the end of 2009.
Carney was fined $500 and ordered to pay $107 in court costs.
Three months ago Carney was convicted of drink driving and reckless driving. He was placed on a three-year good behaviour bond and disqualified from driving until December 2011, which was reduced on appeal to December 2008.
Yesterday, the court was told that just before 6pm on May 18, Carney decided to help out teammate Steve Irwin and drive him home from Ginninderra Tavern in Canberra's north, because Irwin had had too much alcohol and was unable to drive himself home.
According to the police statement read out in court, police estimated the ute was travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone.
The court was told Carney did not stop after officers sounded their sirens. They put on their flashing lights and continued chasing the ute through back streets.
When Carney finally stopped in a dead-end street he fled the scene, leaving Irwin in the passenger seat, the court was told.
He handed himself in to police nearly four hours later.
Carney was immediately suspended from his club but was not sacked on the condition he undertook a five-step rehabilitation plan including working with young cancer victims.
Magistrate Maria Doogan yesterday warned Carney that he would end up behind bars with one more traffic offence. "You have to take responsibility for yourself,'' she said.
Following the hearing, Raiders general manager Don Furner said Carney could be playing again "within a month'' but the final decision rested with coach Neil Henry.
great result for him....... not even a slap on the wrist !! hahaha..
back in a month sounds good 2 !! CMON
