http://www.theaustralian.com.au/busi...1a3-1460025986
Quote:
Samantha Maiden admits to drink-driving
- The Australian
- April 7, 2016 10:43AM
Canberra political journalist Samantha Maiden has pleaded guilty to drink driving.
A prominent Canberra political journalist faces a possible jail term after admitting to drunk driving and ignoring police instructions.
Samantha Maiden, 43, the national political editor at
The Sunday Telegraph, yesterday pleaded guilty in Goulburn Local Court to two charges of not obeying police directions and one count of driving with a mid-range prescribed content of alcohol on March 20.
Police alleged Maiden recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.136 and told officers she had consumed about five glasses of champagne between 9pm and 1am,
The Goulburn Post reports.
The driver was spotted by police near Kingsdale about 2.10am and led police on a 1km pursuit, the report said.
Maidens solicitor noted the journalist had no prior convictions and she had completed a drug and alcohol awareness program.
According to the newspaper, Magistrate Darryl Pearce ordered a presentence report to look at alternatives to a jail sentence, but noted the driver was on the wrong side of the road and there was a police pursuit.
It is a very serious matter, make no mistake, the magistrate told the court.
The case was adjourned to resume at Goulburn Local Court on May 18.
As the case is still before the court, Maiden declined
The Australians request for comment.
The Sunday Telegraph is published by News Corp Australia, which also publishes
The Australian.
