DRINK-DRIVE PROFESSOR QUITS DEAKIN

DEAKIN University deputy vice-chancellor Peter Hodgson resigned yesterday, three months after he was busted drink-driving.

It is understood Professor Hodgson, 60, tendered a resignation letter after discussions with Deakin management.

“The university has accepted Professor Hodgson’s resignation as deputy vicechancellor research,” Deakin spokesman Bryan Allchin said. “Deakin is unable to provide further comment on this matter.”

It is not known if Prof Hodgson was returning from a work trip when caught drinkdriving or if he was being considered for Deakin’s $1 milliona-year top job before his resignation.

Deakin’s vice-chancellor Jane den Hollander is expected to step down by June 30, 2019.

Prof Hodgson blew 0.092 at 8.30am on April 4 after a crash in Corio while driving back from Melbourne Airport.

He fronted Geelong Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Prof Hodgson, who pleaded guilty to drink-driving, careless driving and unregistered driving, was fined $1022.30 and will be suspended from driving for six months. The court heard police spotted a stain of what appeared to be red wine on Prof Hodgson’s collar when he was breath-tested.

Police said he appeared “unsteady on his feet and glassy-eyed” at the time.

Prof Hodgson’s lawyer told the court his client had “a few glasses of wine” in the airport lounge before departing Hong Kong, and took sleeping pills on the flight to Melbourne.

The lawyer said Prof Hodgson, who has multiple academic honours from universities overseas, underestimated the effect the pills would have when mixed with alcohol.

His lawyer urged Magistrate Michael Coghlan not to impose a conviction, stating it would make international travel difficult. But Mr Coghlan said community expectation meant a conviction was warranted.