WILLIE Mason told police that he had about
20 beers and gin and tonics during an 11-hour drinking session on Australia Day before he finished up at 11.30pm ready for training with the Knights the next morning, court documents revealed.
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Mason did not attend Newcastle Local Court yesterday when a plea of guilty was entered on his behalf for mid-range drink-driving.
The front-rower was stopped for a random breath test at 7.05am on January 26 and police smelled alcohol on his breath, a statement of facts said.
Mason tested positive and was taken to Newcastle police station, where he gave a reading of 0.09, almost twice the legal limit. His licence was suspended and he will be sentenced on March 10.
The statement said Mason admitted to drinking 20 beers and gin and tonics between 12.30pm and 11.30pm on Australia Day. The drinking session ended at Newcastle nightspot the King Street Hotel.
Mason apologised via Twitter on the day of his arrest.
Before boarding the team bus yesterday for Tamworth, where the Knights will play a trial tomorrow against Canberra, he told NBN News that he regretted his actions.
‘‘I accept my wrongdoing and responsibility for it all,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s the law. I broke the law. Just deal with the consequences. I regret it.’’
He said the conviction was a ‘‘wake-up call’’.
‘‘A lot of people – not just rugby league players – have got in their car thinking they’re OK to drive.’’
Mason’s criminal record was tendered in court and included a conviction for offensive behaviour in 1999, which resulted in a $600 fine, and two driving offences in 2004.
His traffic record included 10 speeding offences and other minor infringements that resulted in fines and loss of demerit points.
Mason’s mishap continued a dismal pre-season for the Knights. Fellow prop Russell Packer is still in jail after he pleaded guilty to punching and stomping on the face of a man in Sydney in December.
Packer is appealing against the severity of the sentence.
Club official Ben Rogers is awaiting a hearing after pleading not guilty to assaulting two men outside Wests leagues club in September following a charity fund-raiser.
Forward Zane Tetevano was the subject of an AVO after police held concerns for the welfare of his girlfriend following an incident in December, but that order was revoked on the application of the girlfriend.
The Knights issued a statement yesterday in response to Mason’s conviction.
‘‘All our players are fully aware and understand their responsibilities and our expectations,’’ it said.
‘‘We continually educate our players on a wide range of social responsibilities and it is a priority to invest in these programs and workshops.’’
Originally Posted by MFKS
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