Hollywood actor Simon Baker pleads guilty to Byron Shire drink driving charge, second allegation dismissed in northern NSW court

Hollywood actor Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink driving after being caught driving a Tesla erratically near Byron Bay, but he enjoyed a surf in Sydney instead of facing court in person.

Simon Baker at the premiere of Boy Swallows Universe in January. Picture: Josh Woning

Hollywood celebrity Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink driving after he was spotted driving a Tesla erratically near Byron Bay – but he was excused from facing court in person and enjoyed a surf in Sydney instead.

It comes as a second drink driving allegation has been dumped in the Byron Shire court.

Simon Baker in Sydney on Wednesday morning. Picture: MATRIXPICTURES AU

Actor and director Baker did not have to face Mullumbimby Local Court in person for his case’s mention this morning – but court documents show a guilty plea was entered and accepted to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (first offence).

An aerial shot of Cape Byron at Byron Bay.

Meanwhile a charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol (first offence) was withdrawn by the prosecution.

The movie and TV star, lead of CBS drama The Mentalist, was charged by NSW Police earlier this year.

Baker, listed in court documents as living at Nashua – about 22 kilometres southwest of beloved Aussie tourism hub Byron Bay – was busted behind the wheel on Booyung Rd at Nashua between 2:10am and 2:38am on July 20.

Mullumbimby Court House.

Officers “stopped a grey Tesla” being driven in an “erratic manner”, a police statement reads.

Police spoke to Baker, the only one in the electric vehicle, and he took a random breath test, “which returned a positive result”.

“Due to an extensive system outage across the country, the man was subjected to a sobriety test that was conducted at the scene.” the statement reads.

Baker in Sydney. Picture: MATRIXPICTURES AU

Baker was handed an attendance notice and told he had to face the local court.

On Wednesday morning, Simon Lucas Baker’s case was briefly raised in the court.

The court heard of the one charge being dumped entirely and that the Boy Swallows Universe star’s case would be going to a sentencing hearing in coming days.

Baker’s defence lawyer said the actor could not be available in person and his appearance was excused.

Simon Baker attends the 2024 AACTA Awards. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFI

Father-of-three and keen surfer Baker, 55, spent much of his youth in northern NSW and owns a property at Nashua. The Devil Wears Prada star went to school at Ballina High School and Trinity Catholic College.

Baker dated Byron activewear designer Laura May Gibbs for a short time after separating with his wife, actor Rebecca Rigg, about three years ago.

The celeb launched his career as Simon Baker-Denny on soap Home And Away, as well as A Country Practice and other much-loved television programs in the 1990s.

Baker was nominated for a Logie this year for Best Lead Actor in a Drama for his work on award-winning Netflix show Boy Swallows Universe.

Wategos Beach at Byron Bay.

The Tasmanian-born winner of a string of AACTA awards, and an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee, Baker also nabbed a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work acting as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist through 2008 to 2015.

A single drink driving charge will not prevent Baker entering the United States for work, according to US Customs and Border Protection advice.

Baker was previously approached for comment by News Corp.

Originally published as Hollywood actor Simon Baker pleads guilty to Byron Shire drink driving charge, second allegation dismissed in northern NSW court