Veteran Canberra journalist John Edward ‘‘Jack’’ Waterford has escaped conviction for drink driving.
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Waterford pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday over the mid-range offence.
Waterford blew 0.082 after he was stopped by police on Northbourne Avenue, Braddon, about 11.35pm on July 10 this year.
Court documents said a police patrol pulled over Waterford’s vehicle randomly after seeing it drive through an amber traffic light.
Waterford, editor-at-large of The Canberra Times, was taken into custody and transferred to the City Police Station.
Police observations reported he smelt moderately of liquor and was slightly affected by alcohol. But officers said Waterford was cooperative and “both his walk and balance were sure”.
Waterford, who represented himself, applied for and was granted a Section 17, which allowed him to avoid a conviction and keep his licence, due to his 44-year unblemished driving record.
He was, however, ordered to pay court costs of $69.