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Wirrpanda loses drivers licence over DUI

Retired AFL player David Wirrpanda has been fined $900 and banned from driving for 10 months after he was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.

Former Afl player David Wirrpanda.
Former AFL player David Wirrpanda has been fined and disqualified from driving over a DUI incident. (AAP)

Former AFL player David Wirrpanda has been fined $900 and disqualified from driving for 10 months after pleading guilty to drink driving.

The 35-year-old was pulled over by police for a random breath test in Perth's Leederville on April 10 after a West Coast victory over Carlton.

He gave a blood alcohol reading of 0.154 - more than three times the legal limit.

Wirrpanda publicly apologised last month, admitting his actions were unacceptable and saying he was prepared for the consequences.

On Tuesday, Wirrpanda did not appear in Perth Magistrates Court, but his lawyer Robert Owen made an endorsed plea of guilty on his behalf, describing his behaviour as a "silly choice".

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"He ensures both himself and the court that it will never happen again," he said.

Wirrpanda, who is a road safety advocate, was also ordered to pay court costs of $150.80.

Born in Victoria, Wirrpanda was drafted to the Eagles as a 16-year-old and was part of the club's 2006 premiership team.

He played 227 games for West Coast before retiring in 2009.

Wirrpanda launched a charitable foundation in 2005 that provides mentoring programs to empower Aboriginal people.

Last year, the father-of-two pulled out as a Nationals candidate in the re-run WA Senate election.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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