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SYDNEY - Kiwis rugby league international Ben Roberts immediately lodged an appeal after he was convicted of drink driving, and banned from driving for three months today.
Roberts, 22, was convicted on four charges in Sydney's Sutherland Local Court, and fined a total of A$950 ($1059) plus court costs of A$280.
Judge Kevin Maughan told Roberts his status as a high-profile sportsman didn't afford him any special treatment.
"I'm dealing with you as I would anyone else who appears before me for this offence," he said.
The two-test Kiwis international was pulled over by Sydney police at 9.45am on Sunday, June 18 and recorded a breath alcohol reading of 0.03mg.
While it was a minimal reading, P-plate (learner) drivers aren't permitted alcohol in their system.
He was driving a sponsored 2006 Holden Commodore ute, borrowed from one of his Bulldogs clubmates. He didn't know its registration had expired a month earlier, meaning it was also uninsured.
Roberts was banned from driving until October 11, fined A$350 ($390) for exceeding the alcohol limit for special category drivers, A$250 on each charge of driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, and A$100 for not displaying his P-plates.
His lawyer Nancy Mikhaiel lodged an appeal immediately after Judge Maughan's verdict. It will be heard in the New South Wales District Court on September 27.
Roberts also faces sanctions from his Bulldogs National Rugby League (NRL) club, which was awaiting the outcome of the hearing before issuing its own punishment.
Mikhaiel told the court Roberts, who had no prior convictions, was "deeply embarrassed" by the charges. She provided several character references.
He had been driving for five years and was eligible for a full licence but hadn't got around to applying.
Roberts told police he drank 6-8 bottles of pre-mixed vodka and lemonade with his teammates, including fellow Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams, at a Cronulla nightclub on June 17 from about 11pm-1am before staying at a nearby hotel.
When he was pulled over the next morning, Roberts was "slightly affected by alcohol", the police statement of facts said.
Mikhaiel told the court Roberts had made a "bad decision", but also made a "not unreasonable assumption" that he was fit to drive.
She said the publicity surrounding Roberts' charges was punishment enough.
If convicted he would have to shift house to near the Bulldogs' Belmore training headquarters, as he lived with his parents in Narellan, about an hour's drive away in Sydney's west.
Judge Maughan said: "When you've got a zero (alcohol) limit and get up and drive the next morning, you've got to suffer the consequences."
Roberts was accompanied by his parents and uncle at today's hearing.
He politely declined to comment afterwards, but said last month he had learned his lesson.
"I wouldn't have driven the next morning if I'd known I still had alcohol in my system.
"I've learnt I have to take responsibility for my own actions and have given the club a commitment I'll do that."
He will take his place at five-eighth for the Bulldogs in their National Rugby League (NRL) match against Penrith on Saturday.
- NZPA
