MasterChef Julie Goodwin guilty of drink driving
MASTERCHEF winner Julie Goodwin has pleaded guilty to drink driving and copped a fine and had her licence suspended.
MASTERCHEF winner Julie Goodwin has pleaded guilty to drink driving and copped a fine and had her licence suspended.
Goodwin entered the plea to mid-range drink driving in Gosford Local Court, was convicted and handed $600 fine and six month suspension.
The inaugural 2009 MasterChef Australia show winner was charged after she recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.107, more than double the legal limit, last month.
Police observed her vehicle conduct a U-turn near the RBT station on the Pacific Highway and start driving away.
Police followed the car and located Goodwin in a nearby side street, near her restaurant and cooking school, Julie’s Place.
Following her arrest and charge, Goodwin revealed that she had been driving home from a function she had catered at Julie’s Place.
“Needless to say I accept full responsibility for this error in judgment, which I believe is completely out of character for me,” she said in a statement.
“I want to take the opportunity to offer a heartfelt and unreserved apology to my family, my colleagues, and to the broader community. I would also like to apologise to everyone that has supported me over many years, I have let you all down.
“I am devastated that I have acted in a way so contrary to what I believe, to how I usually conduct myself, and to what I have taught my children.”
In Gosford Local Court, Goodwin’s lawyer asked for no conviction to be recorded after he entered a guilty plea on her behalf.
But Goodwin was convicted, fined and had her license suspended until October 11.