Townsville Magistrates Court: Sacked Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney fined for drink driving

Former Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney stood alone in court today, facing a drink driving charge after being stopped at an RBT in Townsville last month. Here are the details.

James Maloney leaving Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to a drink driving charge. Picture: Jami Roberts/ Inset image: Getty Images

Former Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney stood alone in court, facing a drink driving charge after being stopped at an RBT in Townsville last month.

The 38-year-old represented himself in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday morning as he pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.

The court heard Maloney told police he had consumed alcohol shortly before being pulled over at a random breath test site on Boundary Street, Railway Estate at 6.28pm on Friday, August 30.

Police allowed some time before a further breath test was done, revealing a blood alcohol reading of 0.08 per cent.

In court, the police prosecutor submitted that although a typical penalty for such an offence would involve a two-month disqualification, Maloney had already “suffered some extra-curial punishment” in the form of losing his job with the Cowboys over the incident.

Speaking to News Corp earlier this month about being sacked by the Cowboys, Maloney said while he was “disappointed” he had “no ill-will” towards the club.

“But the club’s position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn’t acceptable,” he said.

“Personally I’m disappointed in myself that my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of the year.

“We’re not in normal jobs unfortunately and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL.

“But when one door closes another one opens. We’ll see what happens.”

Maloney only joined the Cowboys on a two-year deal last November after finishing up his playing career for Catalans in the UK Super League.

Representing himself in court, Maloney briefly stated that he had four children to care for, asking the court for leniency and for his disqualification period to be “as short as possible.”

Magistrate Ken Taylor imposed the minimum penalty, disqualifying him from driving for one month and issuing a $300 fine, with no conviction recorded.

Originally published as Townsville Magistrates Court: Sacked Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney fined for drink driving