Pro wrestler Steve Teulan AKA `Jack Bonza’ sentenced for high range drink-driving

As a wrestler “Jack J Bonza” was used to flooring his opponents. But it was his real life actions which were “incredibly dangerous” when he got behind the wheel way over the limit, a court heard.

Pro wrestler Jack J Bonza, also known as Steve Teulan, has pleaded guilty to high range drink-driving after almost running into the back of parked police car at a RBT site. Picture: Martin Lange

A pro wrestler was grappling with a relationship breakdown, a heavy workload and a recent medical diagnosis when he downed an entire bottle of vodka and went for a drive.

Stephan Teulan, of San Remo, faced Wyong Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to high range drink-driving.

The 36-year-old was pulled from his white dual cab ute after almost ploughing into the back of a fully marked police car at a random breath testing site shortly after 9pm on November 11.

His solicitor told the court Teulan had not drunk alcohol for about three months when a trio of major issues tag-teamed him, including the breakdown of a relationship, a heavy workload from three businesses and a recent diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes.

She said her client had “over 50 missed calls” from his ex-partner who he didn’t wish to speak to when he decided to go out after consuming alcohol.

Teulan faced Wyong Local Court on Monday where he was sentenced. Picture: Facebook

An agreed set of facts states police were conducting a high visibility random breath testing site on Wyong Rd, at Tuggerah, when they noticed a dual cab ute approaching without slowing down or merging into the other lane.

Officers heard the ute brake heavily and saw the bonnet dip quickly as the vehicle stopped less than a metre from the back of a parked police car in the outside lane.

Teulan (left) nearly ran into the back of a police car. Pictured here as wrestler Jack J Bonza. . Picture: Facebook

They opened the door and found Teulan who “appeared very confused”.

“Police immediately smelt alcohol within the air,” the facts state.

“Police reached for the gear stick and placed the vehicle into park to prevent it moving forward as other police removed the accused from the vehicle.”

Officers found two empty 700ml bottles of vodka and numerous empty Diet Coke cans on the floor of the car.

Teulan was in bad shape after drinking an entire bottle of vodka. Picture: Facebook

Teulan was taken back to Wyong Police Station where he later recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.237 — approaching five times the legal limit.

His lawyer said Teulan had been driving for 20 years with just four minor speeding tickets, had “self-admitted” himself into therapy after the incident and was an otherwise contributing member of society with three business interests including a pest control company and a wrestling trainer.

Magistrate Robert Munro said it was a “difficult sentencing exercise” given Teulan had such a good record and was unlikely to reoffend, but had recorded such a high blood alcohol reading.

Mr Munro described Teulan’s offending as “incredibly dangerous” before convicting him, putting him on a community corrections order for 12 months with 75 hours of community service and disqualifying him from driving for eight months, with a further two years on an interlock device.

Teulan, who goes by the wrestling name Jack J Bonza, performed and promoted shows for Pro Wrestling Australia at various registered clubs across NSW.