Drink-drive Doug sick as a parrot

Wellington – New Zealand fast bowler Doug Bracewell was yesterday sentenced to 100 hours of community service after pleading guilty to drink-driving after dogs ate his pet parrot.

The 26-year-old was more than three times over the New Zealand legal limit when police pulled him over last month. It was his third drink-driving offence in 10 years.

The court was told Bracewell decided to drive home from a function after receiving a call from his distressed partner who told him their pet cockatoo had been killed by dogs they were looking after for a friend.

His lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said the offending was not about a disregard for road rules but came from a “genuine concern” for his partner.

“The cockatoo was of some significance to his partner and she was quite distraught,” he said. –