Socceroo faces ban for 0.073 reading
A CAIRNS-born former Socceroo says he is remorseful and “ashamed” after being caught drink-driving while moving his car outside a nightclub.
Adam Sarota, 29, who was in the 2014 World Cup squad, was partying with friends at Gilligans on December 1 last year and had downed four or five vodkas when he decided to move his car about 50m to a secure carpark.
But the Cairns Magistrates Court heard yesterday he was intercepted by police on his way along Grafton St and recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.073 per cent.
Sarota played for high-profile Dutch club FC Utrecht for six years, but lost his contract after breaking his leg in 2016 and has been living with his parents at Gordonvale.
His solicitor Richard Whitla said his client was still undertaking a strict training and rehabilitation regime, which meant he had to drive to a gym in Cairns every day and losing his licence was going to have an impact.
He said he had been socialising with friends and they all decided to continue to another friend’s house so he wanted to move his car to a secure car park.
“He accepts it was a poor decision to run the risk (of driving),” Mr Whitla said.
Magistrate Nerida Wilson called the incident a “great shame” considering his otherwise good driving record and fined him $350. He will lose his licence for two months.