Rochelle Spotswood charged with drink and drug driving in Bondi

A Bondi make-up artist who has painted some of Sydney’s most glamorous and recognisable faces nearly wiped out a cop car before she was busted driving with drugs and alcohol in her system.

A Sydney make-up artist has faced court charged with mid-range drink driving with drugs in her system. Picture: Damian Shaw

A Sydney make-up artist to the stars caught driving at almost three times the legal alcohol limit and with cocaine in her system nearly struck a police car after a night out, a court has heard.

A court heard freelance make-up artist Rochelle Spotswood, 27, was working a Mardi Gras event at The Beresford in Surry Hills where she said she consumed two margaritas and a vodka lime and soda before getting behind the wheel.

Police documents tendered to Waverley Local Court reveal Spotswood came under notice after she veered onto the wrong side of Old South Head Rd in Bondi and almost hit a police car.

“Police were forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision with the accused,” the documents state.

Officers then pulled Spotswood over nearby after observing she was also “travelling well in excess of the 50km/h signposted speed limit”.

Sydney make-up artist Rochelle Spotswood.

Spotswood returned a positive roadside breath test, before a breath analysis at Waverley police station indicated a 0.147 blood alcohol level.

A subsequent drug test also indicated she had cocaine in her oral fluid, which was later confirmed by forensic testing.

“Police believe at the time the accused was moderately affected by liquor, due to the strong smell of intoxicating liquor on her breath, her slurred speech, her sudden mood swings and argumentative behaviour while with police,” police state.

Spotswood made a tearful appearance before Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge, who told the Bondi Beach woman she “ought to be ashamed”.

“You can’t enjoy yourself without sticking something up your nose,” Ms Milledge said.

“Who are you kidding, three drinks? You can tell it til the cows come home, you had more than that – that’s not a three drink reading, just ridiculous.”

Ms Milledge also rubbished the suggestion drug use was ever recreational.

“There is no recreational benefit in using drugs at all,” Ms Milledge said.

“Nobody can take your character or integrity away from you, you’ve got to give it away and that’s exactly what you did – what were you thinking to have that much to drink and then get behind the wheel?”

Tearfully, Spotswood replied: “I don’t have an excuse.”

Spotswood’s make-up work on Abbie Chatfield.

Spotswood’s work on Australian model Simone Holtznagel.

Spotswood pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving with drugs in her oral fluid and was fined $1500, suspended from driving for four months and ordered to have an interlock licence for 12 months.

The experienced make-up artist has worked with some of Sydney’s most recognisable personalities, including media personality Abbie Chatfield, Bachelor alum turned podcaster and radio host Brittany Hockley, Australian model Simone Holtznagel, American model Gigi Paris, Acero gym mogul Amy Castano and Australian-Polish model Anna Kedzior.