Tim Payne: Wellington Phoenix A-League star guilty of coronavirus lockdown drunken joy ride

Wellington Phoenix star Tim Payne, who went for a late-night joy ride in a golf cart during the team’s 14-day coronavirus lockdown in Sydney, pleads guilty to drink driving.

Tim Payne of Wellington Phoenix, has pleaded guilty in Manly Local Court to a mid-range drink driving charge after he was caught allegedly driving a golf cart along a public road at Oxford Falls while under the influence. Picture: Tony Feder/Getty Images

• Garage destroyed in massive Seaforth fire
• New twist in bid to build $8 billion tunnel

An A-League football star has pleaded guilty to drink-driving after being caught on an alcohol-fuelled late-night joy ride in a golf cart on a public Sydney road.

Wellington Phoenix midfielder and New Zealand international Tim Payne was charged after breaking the team’s 14-day coronavirus lockdown after a night on the drink at the Sydney Academy of Sport on March 24.

Wellington Phoenix star, and New Zealand international, Tim Payne, was listed to appear at Manly Local Court today. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Police stopped Payne, 26, who was driving the golf cart with goalkeeper Oliver Sail in the passenger seat, along Oxford Falls Rd, Oxford Falls, at 1.10am.

A shirtless Payne allegedly blew 0.100.

In an email sent from New Zealand to Manly Local Court by his solicitor, Payne pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving.

Wellington had been based at the academy at North Narrabeen, while in self-isolation to play A-League games in Australia. The pair was alleged to have taken the golf buggy from the academy about 4kms from where the players were stopped by police.

Mid-fielder Tim Payne (right). Picture: Masanori Udagawa/Getty Images)

Police were called after motorists saw the cart heading south along Wakehurst Pkwy and into Oxford Falls Rd.

The competition was suspended before any matches were played and the Phoenix players returned home to New Zealand.

Payne was given a court notice to be in Manly Local Court on June 10 for plea or mention.

The Court Registrar adjourned the matter to Manly Local Court for sentence on June 29. The sentence can be handed down in his absence.

On March 26 The Daily Telegraph reported that Payne had apologised to the club, his teammates and the academy for his actions.

Wellington goalkeeper Oliver Sail. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

“I just want to say that I’m incredibly sorry and incredibly embarrassed, what I’ve done,” Payne told radio program, Radio Sport.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and for what unfolded on that night. I’ve let so many people down, including my partner, my family, the club as a whole, individuals such as Uffie (coach Ufuk Talay), who has given me the chance this season.”

Payne confirmed he and several members of the squad had been drinking at the facility.