AFL star Jason Akermanis loses two-year speeding ticket court fight

One of Queensland’s greatest-ever AFL stars says he is bitterly disappointed after losing a two-year battle to overturn a fine for speeding at 40km/h over the limit on Cunningham Hwy.

Jason Akermanis relaxing with a vape outside Ipswich Courthouse on May 31 during his court appeal. Picture: Adam Head

Former AFL star Jason Akermanis says he is bitterly disappointed after losing a two-year battle to overturn a fine for speeding at 40km/h over the limit on Cunningham Hwy.

Judge Benedict Power dismissed the Brownlow medallist’s appeal on Friday, May 31, in the Ipswich District Court, upholding a previous ruling in the Ipswich Magistrates Court.

The colourful ex-Lions and ex-Bears player, 46, was charged with driving at 141kmh on a 100kmh section of the Cunningham Hwy, west of Ipswich, on May 22 in 2022.

The court heard Mr Akermanis’ car was detected by Snr-Constable David Olsen who was performing traffic duties with a speed gun.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne last year handed down a $1500 fine and six-month licence suspension on Mr Akermanis.

In a written judgment on Friday, Judge Power said the legendary player had not established any of the grounds needed for an appeal.

AFL star Jason Akermanis takes a soothing puff on a vape outside Ipswich District Court on May 31. Picture: Adam Head

His judgment said that he considered the testimony of experts, defence evidence and technological issues, as well as the conduct of Mr Byrne towards an expert produced by the defence.

“Based upon my review of the evidence, I find that the evidence adduced at trial proved beyond reasonable doubt that the speed of Mr Akermanis’s car exceeded 140kmh,” he said in his judgment.

“It is correct that the magistrate made some robust comments about the evidence of (defence expert) Emeritus Professor (Eduardo) Nebot in his reasons, but there was no inappropriate interruption of his testimony by the magistrate.

“I do not consider the robust comments by the magistrate about Mr Nebot’s evidence show that there had been a prejudging of his evidence.

“Therefore, on the material before the magistrate, a finding of guilt was correct.”

Mr Akermanis and his lawyer Paddy O'Donnell outside Ipswich court. Picture: Grace Koo

Mr Akermanis, who stepped outside the court complex at one point during the morning to have a puff on a vape, said he was “super disappointed” after battling the speeding infringement for two years.

Despite that he was not sure whether he would apply for a second appeal.

“My work involves a lot of travel,” he said.

“I need to be able to drive so I need to look at all the options from that point of view, which is normal.”

Originally published as AFL star Jason Akermanis loses two-year speeding ticket court fight