Bulldog Jackson Topine dodges conviction after driving while suspended in Illawarra

An up-and-coming Bulldogs utility escaped a conviction following a run in with the police after taking an ‘incorrect turn’ a long way from Belmore.

Jackson Topine did not appear in court when he was sentenced on Monday. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Rookie Bulldogs player Jackson Topine has copped a slap on the wrist after being busted driving while suspended in the Illawarra.

The 21-year-old did not appear in Wollongong Local Court on Monday due to football commitments with his lawyer Sam Saadat representing him via video link before Magistrate Gabriel Fleming.

The magistrate found Topine guilty, however, she decided not to record a conviction while placing the NRL 11-gamer on a six-month conditional release order.

Documents tendered in court stated Topine was driving a silver Toyota Corolla northbound on the Princes Hwy at Fairy Meadow at about 10.20pm on Friday, December 16, last year.

The New Zealand-born Topine was approaching a stationary breath testing site, however, he turned into the cul-de-sac Lysaghts St which police said was “commonly used by drivers avoiding breath tests”.

Officers stopped Topine’s vehicle and asked for his licence which he failed to produce before further inquiries revealed he was a suspended P2 driver.

The inquiries showed Topine’s licence was suspended for three months leading into November 3, 2022, due to excess demerit points.

Jackson Topine turned into a cul-de-sac metres before a stationary breath testing site in Fairy Meadow. Picture: Facebook

However, the suspension was extended until Topine completed a traffic offenders course.

Topine told police he was not aware he was suspended and he was unable to access his digital drivers licence because he forgot his Service NSWs pin.

Topine produced a negative breath test and when asked where he was going he told officers he was going to the nearby suburb of Balgownie and he had taken an incorrect turn.

The court decision came a day after Topine played for the Bulldogs in the NSW Cup while on Tuesday he was named on the extended bench for the club‘s NRL side.

A Bulldogs spokesman said Topine “accepts full responsibility” and confirmed he is now allowed back behind the wheel.

“Although Jackson was driving after his licence reinstatement date, a driving knowledge test was required to be sat before he was legally able to resume driving,” the spokesman said.

“Jackson accepts full responsibility for his error in judgment and hopes that other young drivers in the community can learn from his mistake.

“The court demonstrated leniency due to the circumstances, ruling no conviction and directing Topine to sit a driving knowledge test before he resumes driving again.

“Jackson passed his driving knowledge test this morning (Thursday). He now has his license back and is permitted to drive again.”