Radio legend Jeremy Cordeaux fined, spared conviction, for 0.056 drink-driving reading in 2019

Radio legend Jeremy Cordeaux has avoided a second conviction for drink-driving thanks to “mistakes” made by SA Police after they pulled him over.

Radio legend Jeremy Cordeaux has been spared a drink-driving conviction due to an SA Police error that caused him to face trial, rather than simply receive a fine.

Mr Cordeaux, 75, was due to stand trial in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, accused of blowing 0.056 on Glen Osmond Rd, Frewville, in 2019.

It was the second time Mr Cordeaux – who was sacked by FIVEaa in March for his comments about the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins – has been charged with the offence.

He blew 0.102 in 2016, for which he was convicted and fined $950.

Instead of a trial, however, Mr Cordeaux did not attend court and pleaded guilty through his lawyer, Michael Woods.

Mr Woods told the court a resolution had been reached – and police had agreed not to pursue a conviction owing to their officer’s mistakes.

“During the time he was given his rights, including his right to a blood test, my client asked what were the ramifications (of the reading),” he said.

“The officer told him ‘the reading is low, it will be dealt with by an expiation notice or fine’.

“My client specifically asked whether he would lose his licence and the officer mistakenly said ‘no, just a fine’ … my client said he would pay the expiation.”

Former radio presenter Jeremy Cordeaux did not attend court. Picture Matt Turner.

He said that, hours later, the officer realised his error and went to Mr Cordeaux’s home to issue a summons.

Mr Cordeaux, he said, then exercised his right to have a blood test but, due to the passage of time, it came back with a 0.00 reading.

“The officer had, unfortunately, made another mistake – under SA law, the original expiation notice should have been maintained,” Mr Woods said.

“Had my client been given that notice he simply would have paid it, as he told the officer … this was, unfortunately, an impropriety.

“My client should have received a three-month disqualification but now, by virtue of having to enter a plea, it legally must be six months.”

Police prosecutors conceded the officer who pulled Mr Cordeaux over gave incorrect information about the consequences of his offence.

Magistrate Stefan Metanomski said that was the right call.

“Based on what I’ve heard today, that’s entirely appropriate given Mr Cordeaux acted on information, from a police officer, that was incorrect,” he said.

“Had he the correct information, Mr Cordeaux would have paid the fine and would have received a disqualification of three months, rather than six months, and no conviction.

“In those circumstances, and based on the attitude of the prosecution – which is entirely appropriate in my view – I’ll proceed without recording a conviction.”

He fined Mr Cordeaux $1100 and disqualified him from driving for six months.

Originally published as Radio legend Jeremy Cordeaux fined, spared conviction, for 0.056 drink-driving reading in 2019