Former Manly Sea Eagles star John Hopoate faces court on multiple driving charges

Former Manly NRL star John Hopoate was arrested for driving on a suspended licence yesterday — less than 24 hours before he fronted court this morning on two similar driving charges.

John Hopoate coming out of Manly Court on Wednesday. Picture: AAP

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Former Manly NRL star John Hopoate was arrested for driving on a suspended licence on Tuesday — a day before he was due to front court on two previous charges of driving while suspended.

Hopoate, 45, of Dee Why, was in Manly Local Court on Wednesday to answer charges that earlier this year he drove a truck and a four-wheel-drive vehicle after his licence had been taken away from him.

John Hopoate, during the Manly vs Newcastle match at the Legends of League Tournament at Central Coast Stadium earlier this month. Picture: Tim Hunter.

But the court was told that Highway Patrol officers allegedly caught Hopoate behind the wheel of the same truck about 1pm on Tuesday.

Documents tendered to court state that he was seen driving a Daihatsu truck on Patanga Rd, Frenchs Forest.

On September 6, at about 1.15pm, Hopoate was charged after he was allegedly seen by police driving the same Daihatsu along Frenchs Forest Rd East at Frenchs Forest.

Then on November 1, at 2.30pm the ex-footballer was charged with driving while his licence was suspended after he was allegedly seen behind the wheel of a Holden Rodeo 4WD on Ellis Rd at Beacon Hill.

Hopoate has yet to enter a plea to any of the three charges.

The matter was adjourned for plea or mention to Manly Local Court on December 12.