Real estate agent Alan Fettes sentenced for drink driving

A drink driving luxury real estate agent from Sydney’s eastern suburbs has been told he only has himself to blame for the embarrassment he suffered after his crime was publicised.

Alan Fettes. Picture: Julian Andrews

A magistrate has told a drink driving luxury real estate agent he has only himself to blame for embarrassment suffered after his crime was publicised in the media.

High-flying Ray White Double Bay agent Alan Fettes made a desperate bid through his solicitor to avoid a conviction after pleading guilty to mid-range drink driving at Downing Centre Local Court on February 16.

Fettes, 30, was charged after he blew 0.087 when police pulled him over for allegedly speeding as he drove a friend to an address four minutes away from his home on December 8.

The court heard Fettes had consumed his last drink two hours before getting behind the wheel to drive a friend home after they experienced a panic attack.

Magistrate Brett Shields disagreed with the solicitor’s suggestion it was an “emergency” that would justify Fettes’ decision to drive.

“Why didn’t they call an ambulance, a taxi, a rideshare – if it’s really an emergency, why did he not do one of those things?” Mr Shields asked.

Alan Fettes.

The solicitor also said Fettes had suffered extracurial punishment due to media attention after he was charged, saying he was “hounded by the media outside of the courthouse”.

After Fettes’ only prior appearance at the Downing Centre, this masthead snapped a single photo of him from a distance and did not speak to him at all.

“It was utterly embarrassing and tarnishes his reputation, he’s had to suffer that embarrassment and there are potential professional ramifications,” the solicitor said.

“The thing that tarnishes his reputation is the commission of the offence – that’s because of his decisions,” Mr Shields responded.

Real estate agent Alan Fettes pictured at The Watsons Bay Hotel where he was attending a Ray White Double Bay Kickstart event. Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Shields also dismissed any suggestion Fettes was suffering disproportionate financial and practical hardship compared to other drink drivers due to his licence being suspended.

On his own Instagram, Fettes said his team had sold a record $245 million worth of property, including a $68 million property on Wunnulla Rd in Point Piper, in 2023.

“Are you really worse off than a plumber working for minimum wage, providing for a family?” Mr Shields asked rhetorically.

“You have the capacity to cope with it if you need to.”

Mr Shields acknowledged Fettes’ prior good character but said the matter was too serious to escape conviction.

“When you’ve got that level of alcohol in your blood you’re a risk to yourself and others, it’s just that simple,” Mr Shields said.

“I’m the deputy state coroner, and I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen killed in these sorts of things, but it’s a lot and I wouldn’t even like to try and count – the outcome is awful.”

Alan Fettes (centre). Picture: Julian Andrews

Mr Shields convicted Fettes, fined him $950, disqualified him for three months backdated to when he was charged, and ordered him to hold an interlock licence for 12 months.

“You’ve been subject to media attention … it goes with court proceedings,” the magistrate said.

“If there’s media attention, it’s a good vehicle to send a message to the community about what will happen if you commit this kind of offence – I suspect you’ve learned a pretty hard lesson out of this.”