Respected Canberra lawyer Christopher Dennett busted drink driving

A regarded Canberra lawyer was nabbed drink driving after he got behind the wheel to drive a date home. See how the court dealt with the case.

Christopher Dennett leaves the ACT Law Courts on April 6. Dennett was caught drink driving after a date on January 5. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

A lawyer was busted drink driving after a date in a case of “misguided chivalry”.

Kingston man Christopher Dennett, 41, pleaded guilty to level three drink driving in the ACT Magistrates Court after he blew 0.098.

Dennett’s lawyer told the court his client had been driving for 24 years, did not have a criminal record and had received “only a single ticket” before the incident.

He said his client was a highly respected solicitor and a loving father of three.

The lawyer told the court Dennett was caught out at a routine random breath test, at about 10pm on January 5 when he was travelling from Lyneham to Campbell.

Christopher Dennett leaves the ACT Law Courts on April 6. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

He said Dennett’s date that night had driven to the venue, but had too much to drink to drive herself home.

In an act the lawyer described as “false chivalry”, Dennett attempted to drive his date home in her car, before making his way back to Kingston.

Dennett was caught drink driving after a date on January 5. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The lawyer said his client was co-operative with police and that his driving at the time was not erratic.

“(Dennett is) genuinely remorseful, and frankly embarrassed as a solicitor,” he said.

“He’s been upfront and honest with his colleagues (about this).”

The lawyer said Dennett required a licence to drive his three boys to school, to recreational activities and to their mother’s residence.

Magistrate Ian Temby told the court it was the third time he had seen someone caught drink driving through “misguided chivalry”.

Due to this, he said, there was a need for general deterrence for those considering getting behind the wheel while intoxicated to drive a date home.

Mr Temby placed Dennett on a six-month good behaviour order, without conviction.