Tarryn Thomas pleads guilty to driving offences

Kangaroos footballer Tarryn Thomas has kept his licence despite being caught driving to and from his ex-girlfriend’s house on Christmas Eve while suspended.

Tarryn Thomas of the Kangaroos has pleaded guilty to driving charges. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Kangaroos midfielder Tarryn Thomas has escaped losing his licence after a Christmas Eve cruise where he was caught driving on a suspended licence and failed to display his P-plates.

Thomas, who also goes by the surname Trindall, appeared in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court via video link wearing a white Polo shirt from what appeared to be a living room.

The guilty plea hearing lasted about 30 minutes.

The police prosecutor told the court Thomas’ black sedan was impounded by police on Christmas Eve after he was caught travelling south on Waterdale Rd in Heidelberg West without displaying P-plates and while suspended.

When police asked him the status of his license, he said he “lost it ages ago” and had had to go to court on December 1.

Thomas’s defence lawyer said the footballer had made a bad decision in going to visit an ex-girlfriend.

“On Christmas Eve, while attending his ex-partner’s home, it became evident that their relations were over, and he had to return to his property,” the prosecutor said.

“He packed up his stuff and popped them in the car and made the foolish decision to drive the vehicle home.

“The time of the year had played a big role in his decision, with Christmas Day the next day, which also explains why the car didn’t display P-plates.”

Tarryn Thomas during a game.

Thomas’ lawyer told the court she wasn’t making excuses for the 23-year-old but “simply explaining” the circumstances.

“The offending lacks other aggravated features as there are no other alleged offences like drugs, alcohol, speeding or careless driving,” she said.

The court heard Thomas lived with a roommate in Ormand while his family resided interstate and that Thomas was a professional athlete by trade.

The defence lawyer asked the court to consider a financial penalty instead of imposing an order on his license.

“He’s based out of North Melbourne, which is a 45-minute drive from his home in Ormand, and his license is needed to assist with meeting his professional obligations where travel is involved,” she said.

Tarryn Thomas outside court for a previous matter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicki Connolly

Magistrate Lance Martin told Thomas he took into account his plea of guilty.

“Today’s charge relates to driving on one day only on 24 December 2022. You were in contravention of a court order that suspended your license on the first of December,” he said.

Mr Martin said he considered why Thomas decided to drive his car on Christmas Eve but that it didn’t “justify” his driving.

Mr Martin did not make any further orders on Thomas’ license and fined him $1800 for driving while suspended and $300 for driving without displaying P-plates. He was ordered to pay $90.60 in costs.

It comes after the 23-year-old had revenge porn charges dismissed in August when he pleaded guilty to downgraded charge of using a carriage service to harass after threatening to leak intimate videos of himself and an ex-girlfriend that had been recorded consensually.

He was stood down by North Melbourne when he was charged.

Magistrate Julie Grainger, in August, confirmed Thomas had complied with his diversion, where he was ordered to pay $1000 to charity within a month to avoid a conviction.

Ms Grainger dismissed his charge, with no criminal conviction recorded.