Ezra Mam’s shock driving record before drug-driving crash
Broncos star Ezra Mam was on his third licence suspension for traffic offences when he was involved in a car crash while he had cocaine in his system. See his traffic history.
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Broncos star Ezra Mam was on his third licence suspension for traffic offences including speeding, using his mobile phone and failing to stop at a red light when he was involved in a car crash while he had cocaine in his system.
Shock new details - including Mam’s full traffic history and details of the lead-up to the crash - have been laid bare in court documents seen by The Courier-Mail after he pleaded guilty to offences this week relating to a car crash that injured a four-year-old girl in an Uber.
It can be revealed the star NRL player had less than 0.01mg/L of cocaine in his system after using the drug socially the day before the crash, which happened on October 18 when he decided to get behind the wheel - despite his suspension - because he was moving house.
Mam’s licence was suspended after he copped four demerit points and a $1161 fine for using his phone in May this year - a heftier penalty than the $850 he received this week for driving with cocaine in his system while unlicensed - and he was due to get it back on November 20.
He has had three demerit point licence suspensions since 2021 for offences including failing to stop at a red light, exceeding the speed limit by less than 13km/h, not wearing a seatbelt properly and the mobile phone offence and one SPER suspension for an unpaid debt.
The 21-year-old appears to still be on a provisional licence which allocates four points to drivers over a 12-month period and imposes late night driving restrictions for those who accumulate excessive demerit points.
Written submissions from defence lawyer Bettina Webb, of Howden Saggers Lawyers, revealed Mam had used cocaine socially the day prior to the crash.
In Mam’s own written apology to the court, he described the incident as a “turning point” in his life.
“I now understand how dangerous and irresponsible my actions were - not only for myself but for everyone on the road that day,” Mam, who signed a $4m contract with the Broncos a year ago, wrote.
“I deeply regret my decisions and the harm they could have caused.”
He said his engagement in counselling since the incident had shown him how much he needed to grow.
“Through this process, I have come to realise how much I need to grow, and the effort required to regain the trust of those I have let down,” he wrote.
“I am determined to prove through my actions that I have learned from this and am ready to contribute positively to my community.”
Ms Webb said two corporate sponsors have withdrawn as a result of the high-profile crash, as she outlined the reputational damage and ‘extra-curial punishment’ Mam had suffered as a result of being charged.
She said that was on top of punishment from NRL integrity unit, refusal by the Broncos to allow him to return to training this year, and school-aged family members suffering “shame and bullying”.
She emphasised her client’s strong ties to the community and engagement with charities including Starlight Children’s Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, Meals on Wheels Ipswich, and Broncos charity partner Bravehearts.
Ms Webb said Mam had also started volunteering at RSPCA “only Friday last week” prior to his sentence.
After the crash, Mam participated in a four-week rehabilitation program at The Banyans - which advertises itself as a “luxury” rehab centre.
Healthcare director Ruth Limkin wrote a reference for Mam’s sentence, saying he had “fully engaged” and “demonstrated a high level of commitment” to the program.
Mam’s treating psychologist said he had presented at first with “proportionate stress and anxiety in relation to a recent accident and to situations that had occurred across both his personal and professional life”.
She said he had presented with mild levels of depression and low levels of drug dependency.
A reference from family friend Jodie Currie, former Chairperson and then CEO of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service Brisbane, outlined Mam’s “profound sadness” over the loss of his grandparents in his teens, which she said remains present still today.
Another family friend Adrian Carson, board member of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service, said Mam had demonstrated his potential to be a “positive role model”.
“Ezra has expressed profound remorse for the pain and suffering caused by his actions, both to those directly affected and to his family and community,” Mr Carson said.
“He is acutely aware of the disappointment felt by those who look up to him, and he is determined to regain their trust and respect.”
Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington has said she reviewed the state’s laws after declaring Mam’s $850 fine and six-month licence suspension with no conviction recorded “did not pass the pub test”.
Originally published as Ezra Mam’s shock driving record before drug-driving crash
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