Broncos media manager Melissa Mallet in court after drunken car crash

The media manager of the Brisbane Broncos has taken to social media after facing court in “deep embarrassment” after drunkenly crashing into two parked cars last month.

The Brisbane Broncos’ media manager has faced court in “deep embarrassment” after drunkenly crashing into two parked cars last month.

Head of media for Brisbane Broncos Melissa Telhia Mallet, 39, has been fined $1000 for crashing her Kia Sorento into two parked vehicles while attempting to do a U-turn in a residential Paddington street.

The former Channel 9 reporter pleaded guilty at Brisbane Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday to driving under the influence of liquor on Monday, June 2.

Prosecutor Sergeant Paul McPhee said Mallet returned a BAC reading of 0.156 after police were called to the scene of the crash on Tooth Ave in Paddington about 9.45pm.

“Police when they arrived observed members of the public on the street and … could see numerous cars damaged from a traffic crash,” Sgt McPhee said.

Melissa Mallet pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in the Brisbane suburb of Paddington. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mallet had told ambulance officers she had drunk four or five glasses of wine prior to the incident, the court head.

Sgt McPhee said officers observed Mallet “appeared confused and had slurred speech” and was unable to provide a recollection of the incident.

The court heard Mallet had a five-page traffic history, which Magistrate Joseph Pinder said was “not particularly flattering” but did not include any prior drink drives.

Mallet posted a statement to her Instagram account on Tuesday after she was sentenced in court for drink driving.

“Thank you to everyone who’s shown such kindness over the past month and especially today, I’ve truly been blown away and am very grateful,” she wrote.

“I was carrying more than I realised and I didn’t want to let anyone down but in the end, I did, and I am so deeply sorry. There are no excuses.

“This has shaken me to my core but I’ve found strength in taking the time to step away and get the support I have needed.

“As a leader, I’m taking responsibility and learning through it.

“If sharing this helps even one person find the courage to ask for help sooner, it means everything.

“To those disappointed, I hear you too.

“I’m committed to healing, growing, and coming back better with more clarity, courage, and care.

“Keep chasing sunrises.”

Defence lawyer Michael Kelly of Fallu McMillan Lawyers tendered letters of reference from a psychologist and Mallet’s employer, the Broncos.

Mr Pinder noted Mallet’s employer had spoken “highly” of her in the reference.

Mr Kelly noted the incident had received press coverage and caused Mallet embarrassment at work.

“She is deeply embarrassed,” he said.

Mr Kelly said Mallet had been attempting to drive a short distance to her residence, but accepted she should “never” have been driving under the circumstances.

He said Mallet had hit just one car, which had then crashed into the second car.

Mr Kelly said his client understood she would be liable for covering the damage and had demonstrated remorse through her completion of a Queensland traffic offenders program after the incident.

Melissa Mallet outside court in Brisbane on Tuesday. Picture: NewsWire

He submitted that the recording of a conviction would negatively impact Mallet’s ability to travel overseas for work and potentially impact future employment in the media industry.

Mr Kelly said Mallet had not driven since the incident and had been on leave “to deal with her own issues and to better herself”.

Mr Pinder accepted Mallet had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, but said he did not agree with Mr Kelly’s submission her licence should only be disqualified for seven months.

He said the circumstances of her driving “more than three times the limit” in a residential area while “severely intoxicated” and “drunk” was “very concerning”.

“You acknowledge that probably more as a result of good fortune than anything else that no one was injured or, heaven forbid, killed,” Mr Pinder told Mallet.

He fined Mallet $1000 and disqualified her licence for nine months.

No convictions were recorded.

Mallet gave no comment to the media outside court.