‘I sh*t myself’: Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter sentenced

A Western Bulldogs star player was drinking UDLs the night he collided with four parked cars then left the scene due to ‘confusion’, a court has heard.

Lachie Hunter gave up his vice-captaincy of the Western Bulldogs after drink driving and hitting four parked cars. Picture: Michael Klein

A former Western Bulldogs vice-captain was drinking UDLs the night he collided with four parked cars, his lawyer has told a court.

Lachie Hunter pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Monday to drink driving, careless driving, and failing to give his name and address when property had been damaged.

He was sentenced to a $1000 fine and a 12-month licence disqualification without a conviction recorded, after magistrate Michelle Hodgson said he had experienced “significant” sanctions from the Western Bulldogs including a $5000 fine and a four-game suspension.

Lachie Hunter celebrates kicking a goal during the round 12 AFL match against the Adelaide Crows on August 16. Photo: Matt Roberts/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Mr Hunter was also fined on the night for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.

The charges were the result of his behaviour on April 16 this year, when the star midfielder collided with four vehicles in Middle Park shortly before 9pm.

The court heard the owner of two of the cars heard a noise and came out to investigate, and Mr Hunter — who was driving a grey Toyota Rav 4 wagon — shared his licence details with him.

In a statement provided anonymously to the court, the man described Mr Hunter’s reaction to the collision: “He said he was fine and that he was very sorry for the accident, and that he would fix everything up,” he said.

Mr Hunter spoke to another vehicle owner before being taken to a friend’s house in South Yarra.

The second witness said in a statement: “He said, ‘So sorry, I’ve just had an argument with my girlfriend’. He immediately offered me his licence. I took his licence inside to take a photograph. The young man who hit my vehicle offered to pay for everything in that moment.”

Lachie Hunter was suspended for four games after being charged for drink driving, careless driving and leaving the scene. Picture: Michael Klein

Police caught up with the 26-year-old in South Yarra, where he blew 0.123.

He was “hiding around a corner on the balcony next door” when police arrived at the address, court documents show.

His lawyer Rob Stary told the court Mr Hunter had been drinking before the crash and continued drinking UDLs – a canned pre-mixed vodka drink – at his friend’s house.

When police questioned him on why he had been drinking he replied: “Does it matter? I got here and I was drinking. Do I have to say anything towards that – I don’t know what to say”, the court heard.

“I’ve never been in a collision before. I sh*t myself.”

The court heard that when they asked why he left the scene before police arrived, he said: “After that mate to be honest, I sh*t myself”.

Ms Hodgson said it was clear he left the scene due to “confusion”, as he had already provided his licence details.

Western Bulldogs’ head Chris Grant provided a statement to the court along with a counsellor who has been treating Mr Hunter.

Western Bulldogs director of football Chris Grant provided a statement to the court in support of Lachie Hunter. Picture: Michael Klein

His lawyer told the court he voluntarily relinquished the vice-captaincy and had experienced “a sense of embarrassment, humiliation and shame”.

He said he will have to pay for the damage to the cars — which was likely to be “not inconsiderable” — as his insurance wouldn’t cover an accident for which he was responsible.

Ms Hodgson said the experience should deter “like-minded men” from drink-driving.

“I need not tell anyone at the bar table that drink driving is a very serious offence,” she said.

Originally published as ‘I sh*t myself’: Bulldogs star Lachie Hunter sentenced