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An NRL team’s public relations employee, who had previously helped her club manage a player’s drug-driving incident, has admitted to crashing into parked cars while being over three times the legal alcohol limit.
Broncos media officer Melissa Telhia Mallet, 39, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today on one count of high-range drink driving.
Mallet is the third person linked to the Broncos to be charged with drink or drug driving in the past 10 months.
Defense lawyer Michael Kelly stated that Mallet demonstrated remorse by promptly pleading guilty and enrolling in a rehabilitation program immediately.
He said Mallet was “deeply embarrassed” by media attention on her case.
“The car that she hit bumped into another car. She has spoken to the owners of both those vehicles and apologised,” Mr Kelly said.
“She is personally liable for the cost.”
Pinder said Mallet’s offence was very concerning as she was more than three times the legal limit and it was only good luck that nobody was injured.
“You displayed signs of being severely intoxicated,” he said.
“Clearly, the accident involving you crashing into two parked cars was a result of your inability to control your vehicle due to intoxication.”
Pinder said Mallet’s driving history was “not particularly flattering” but she had no prior drink-driving charges.
“The conduct is uncharacteristic. Your employer speaks highly of you … you present as a person who is very unlikely to reoffend,” Pinder said.
Mallet was fined $1000 and disqualified from holding a licence for nine months with no conviction recorded.
She declined to comment as she left court.
Renouf is due to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 16.