Neil Brooks Banned From Driving For Refusing Test

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday November 14, 1987

BRISBANE: The Moscow Olympics gold medallist and Mean Machine swim team member Neil Brooks was disqualified from driving for eight months yesterday on drink-driving related charges.

Brooks, 25, of Woombye, near Nambour, pleaded guilty at Maroochydore Magistrates' Court, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, to charges of failing to supply a breath specimen and his name and address.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant Steve Maney, said Brooks refused to take part in a roadside breath test after police stopped his Holden Commodore on June 4.

Sergeant Maney said police officers had noticed alcohol in Brooks's breath and his eyes were bloodshot and watery.

Brooks was taken to Maroochydore police station, where he again refused a breath test. Mr Stuart Bale, for Brooks, said the swimmer had been the guest speaker at a function that night to raise money to send swimmers to the Seoul Olympics and had consumed only four beers. Mr Bale said Brooks's bloodshot and watery eyes could be explained by a 6am training session which lasted three hours.

Mr Bale said that if Brooks was disqualified from driving it would affect his training, his involvement in the community and his recently-formed rock band, Neil Brooks and the Union.

Regarding Brooks's failure to supply a name and address, Mr Bale said the police officer who pulled Brooks up shouted to his fellow officer: "We've got Brooksy." Brooks had told police: "You know who I am."

The magistrate, Mr Brian Williams, fined Brooks $550, in default 55 days'jail, for failing to provide a breath specimen and disqualified him from driving for eight months.

Brooks was fined $50, in default five days, for failing to supply his name and address.

© 1987 Sydney Morning Herald

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