Brisbane Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam pleads guilty, punished
Broncos star Ezra Mam has been given a tongue lashing after pleading guilty to two charges resulting from a car crash.
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Broncos star Ezra Mam has been given a tongue lashing by a magistrate after the playmaker on Monday pleaded guilty to two charges.
The 22-year-old five-eighth was charged by Queensland Police last month with one count each of driving while relevant drug is present in blood and drive motor vehicle without a driver licence.
The five-eigth collided head-on with an Uber driver carrying a woman and her four-year-old daughter in Brisbane on October 18 and three days later checked himself into a rehab centre.
Mam failed a roadside drug test when spoken to by police at the scene of the incident on October 18.
After pleading guilty, Mam was fined a total of $850.
His licence has been disqualified for six months.
No conviction has been recorded.
In sentencing at Brisbane Magistrates Court, the magistrate told the footballer he could have killed somebody.
“On this particular occasion you shouldn’t have been driving because of the fact you didn’t have a licence,” the magistrate said, per The Courier-Mail.
“Having made that stupid decision to get behind the wheel of the car, as well as use illicit substances as well … a cocktail of cocaine and other matters that were found in your blood on this occasion.
“At so many levels you are fortunate to stand where you are today … you could have been injured or killed, or the other persons could have been injured or killed.
“There’s no place for illicit drugs in our community, and there’s certainly no place for a person who is using illicit drugs to get behind the wheel of a car.
“You’ve got to learn from this.”
With his career at a crossroads, Mam has now reportedly began working unpaid on a job site in Brisbane since checking out of the facility according to Code Sports.
The Broncos have previously stated that Mam will not have his contract terminated.
Mam spoke to reporterers when leaving the court, saying: “Today is a very important step in learning from my actions and starting to make things right.
“To the people involved in the accident I am truly sorry. This incident isn’t a reflection of what I want to be and what is expected of me as a role model.
“To the NRL, Brisbane Broncos, the fans, my family – I am sorry. I promise to work on being a better person.”
The 21-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Broncos in February, worth a reported $4 million.
He was supported by his Mum in court, who reportedly flew from the Torres Strait Islands to be by his side during the hearing.
Originally published as Brisbane Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam pleads guilty, punished