NRL star Brett Stewart charged with drink driving
Manly Sea Eagles star Brett Stewart will front court next month after being charged with low-range drink driving this morning.
The 29-year-old fullback said he had no idea he was over the limit when he was stopped by police, and said he is really disappointed.
Stewart was with friends in Manly until about 1am this morning and caught a taxi home.
But he was pulled over on Pittwater road at Warriewood and breathalysed at about 10am.
"I had a few drinks last night. I went home, went to bed and got up this morning," Stewart told News Limited.
"I thought I was fine and headed off for some breakfast. I got pulled over and I blew low range," he said.
"There’s no way I would have got behind the wheel if I thought there was a problem."
He returned a reading of 0.079, according to police, and was taken to Mona Vale Station where he was charged with low range drink-driving.
Stewart has been ordered to face Manly Local Court on May 7.
Manly have informed the NRL integrity unit of the incident.
The club released a short statement saying that Stewart had been on the way to a "gathering with friends".
"At this stage, [we] will be making no further comment in relation to the matter," the statement said.
In 2009, he was charged with the sexual assault of a 17-year-old and was found not guilty.
At the time Stewart was the face of the NRL's campaign that season.
Newcastle Knights player Willie Mason recently lost his license for six months after also being caught for drink driving the day after Australia Day celebrations while on the way to training.
