Revealed: what pushed Julie Goodwin over double the legal limit
POLICE facts tendered in former MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin’s drink-driving matter reveal for the first time what pushed her to blow 0.107 — more than double the limit - and what she did to try to escape.
Central Coast
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POLICE facts tendered in former MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin’s drink-driving matter reveal for the first time what pushed her to blow 0.107 — more than double the limit.
Goodwin, who was today fined $600 and suspended from driving for six months, told police she “panicked” when she saw an RBT site about 100m ahead of her on the Pacific Highway at North Gosford on April 12 because she had just polished off a drink.
Police facts tendered in Gosford Local Court reveal Goodwin did a U-turn to avoid the random breath testing site and ducked into a nearby side street before police tracked her down in her distinctive Cooper S with the logo of her restaurant Julie’s Place emblazoned on the side.
“The accused was cautioned before admitting that she was the driver of the vehicle who performed the U-turn on the Pacific Highway,” the facts read.
She was arrested and later told officers at Gosford Police Station she had consumed two glasses of white wine and two glasses of Champagne at a function she had catered at her North Gosford cooking school-come-restaurant.
She told police her first drink was at 5pm and her last at 7.55pm, just minutes before she saw the RBT.
“The accused appeared to be very remorseful for her actions,” the facts read.
“Goodwin stated to police that she had just finished a drink and panic (sic) when she saw police.”
Goodwin said nothing as she stood at the back of a packed courtroom while her solicitor Ken Stewart entered a guilty plea to one count of mid-range drink-driving.
Mr Stewart told the court he would “unashamedly ask for no conviction”.
He tendered written submissions outlining legal precedents which would satisfy the court as to why she should be let off without a conviction.
Mr Stewart also told the court Goodwin’s clean record, her remorse, “embarrassment” and her charitable work should be taken into account.
However, Magistrate Ron Maiden convicted Goodwin and fined her $600.
Mr Maiden also reduced her driving suspension to just six months meaning she will be eligible to get her license back on October 11.
Goodwin, however, escaped any good behaviour bond.
Goodwin and her husband refused to comment as she walked out of court but her solicitor said while she was hopeful of no conviction she was happy with the leniency of the sentence.
He said she was “extremely embarrassed”
Brisbane Water police were conducting a roadside RBT as part of Operation Merret — a statewide traffic blitz to reduce an alarming number of fatalities this year — about 8pm on April 12 when they noticed Goodwin’s distinctive Mini Cooper approach on the Pacific Highway at North Gosford.
Before Goodwin reached the RBT police observed the vehicle perform a U-turn and start driving away.
Officers gave chase and located Goodwin in a nearby side street, close to her restaurant and cooking school Julie’s Place.
Goodwin failed a roadside test before she was arrested and taken to Gosford Police Station where she returned a mid-range reading.
She was charged and her licence was suspended on the spot. It is understood Goodwin has already completed the traffic offenders program.
Goodwin’s appearance at court this morning came after she hosted her regular Star 104.5 morning radio show.
Dressed in a black three-quarter jacket with leather sleeves and flanked by her husband Mick Goodwin the former MasterChef winner passed a large media contingent as she arrived shortly before 11am.
After her arrest Goodwin released an exclusive statement to the Express Advocate where she revealed her “great shame”.
She said she was driving home from a function she had catered at her restaurant when she was subjected to a random breath test.
“Needless to say I accept full responsibility for this error in judgment, which I believe is completely out of character for me,” she said.
“I want to take the opportunity to offer a heartfelt and unreserved apology to my family, my colleagues, and to the broader community. I would also like to apologise to everyone that has supported me over many years, I have let you all down.
“I am devastated that I have acted in a way so contrary to what I believe, to how I usually conduct myself, and to what I have taught my children.”
Goodwin, who hosts the popular Star 104.5 morning radio program Rabbit and Julie Goodwin, said “many any lessons will flow from this” and she would learn from each of them.
Goodwin was one of thousands of motorists caught flouting the road rules during Operation Merret with police issuing more than 30,000 infringements in the first four weeks of the “unorthodox” crackdown targeting side streets.
It was launched operation after more than 100 lives were lost on the state’s roads this year.