Hollywood star Simon Baker faces Mullumbimby Local Court after being caught drink driving in Tesla near Byron Bay
Hollywood actor Simon Baker has been sentenced for drink driving after downing too much wine during dinner near Byron Bay – but a blood alcohol reading was not recorded due to an IT outage, a court heard.
NSW
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Hollywood actor and director Simon Baker has been sentenced in court for drink driving in a Tesla after downing too many glasses of wine during dinner at Bangalow in the Byron Shire.
The Aussie movie and TV star’s blood alcohol reading could not be obtained due to a major IT systems outage and he underwent an “old-fashioned” roadside sobriety test, Mullumbimby Local Court heard on Wednesday.
The 55-year-old was sentenced to a nine-month conditional release order without recorded conviction and ordered to be of good behaviour by Magistrate Kathy Crittenden. No licence disqualification or suspension was handed down.
Baker, who owns a home at Nashua, near northern NSW tourism haven Byron, was spotted by Tweed Byron Police driving the silver Model 3 on Bangalow Rd at Bangalow about 2.10am on July 20.
Police in an unmarked car observed the EV speeding up, slowing down and crossing the centre line as they followed for about 8km, court documents state.
Officers pulled the EV over on the damp and foggy road at Booyung to ask the driver about their drinking.
Baker got out the car and police state he was unsteady on his feet, had slurred speech, watery and bloodshot eyes, and smelt like alcohol.
The Boy Swallows Universe star and lead of much-loved CBS drama The Mentalist – who was the only one in the car – told officers he had four glasses of wine at dinner.
Baker was apologetic, polite and agreed he was too intoxicated to be behind the wheel, the court was told.
He failed a roadside breath test, but a widespread Microsoft/CrowdStrike IT outage meant a blood alcohol reading could not be recorded.
Police state an officer with three decades of experience conducted the sobriety test. Officers drove the celebrity home and he was issued a notice to attend court.
Baker was all smiles as he walked into the Byron Shire court in a green suit dogged by journalists and camera crews on Wednesday morning, alongside lawyer Peggy Dwyer.
A guilty plea was entered by the Tasmanian-born celebrity – full name Simon Lucas Baker – on September 4 to driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (first offence).
Another charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of alcohol (first offence) was withdrawn.
The actor was excused from facing court in person on the day and was represented by a lawyer. He was photographed surfing in Sydney.
Police said in an earlier statement officers spotted the Tesla being driven erratically and “an extensive system outage across the country” resulted in “a sobriety test that was conducted at the scene”.
Four character references were handed up on Wednesday outlining Baker’s contributions to the community, his remorse and deeming the offending “out of character”.
Baker completed a traffic offender program and pleaded guilty as soon as possible.
Ms Crittenden was asked to take into account media reporting of the “distressing incident”.
She approved a suppression order on personal information relating to Baker and his referees.
Ms Crittenden agreed there had been “significant media interest”. She said the order was about ensuring “psychological safety” and was “limited’ in scope.
Baker has been driving since 1989 and came before the court with an almost unblemished record, with no infringements since 2021.
It was found Baker was remorseful and unlikely to reoffend, however, the magistrate said drink driving offences needed to be treated seriously “because of the risk they pose to the safety of the community”.
“It is plain there is a message to be sent to the community that such offences are taken seriously,” Ms Crittenden said.
Outside court, Baker avoided questions by reporters and walked to a car with his lawyer.
One journalist asked “Did you have more than four glasses of wine?” – Baker did not respond.
Surfer and dad-of-three Baker grew up in northern NSW. The Devil Wears Prada star went to Ballina High School and Trinity Catholic College.
Baker dated Byron activewear designer Laura May Gibbs for some time after splitting with his wife, actor Rebecca Rigg, a few years ago.
He began 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.
He has been awarded a string of AACTA awards, is an Emmy and Golden Globe nominee and was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work acting as Patrick Jane in The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015.
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