UPDATE: Further details revealed about Jodhi Meares’ alleged DUI on Saturday.
According to numerous reports, former model and fashion designer Jodhi Meares and her fiancé INXS front-man Jon Stevens had a public fight with other diners at a Bondi cafe on Saturday night, before her car crash that evening.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that Meares was drinking wine at a cafe with a friend on the night of the crash, and was reportedly “fairly pickled” at 6.30pm.
Meares and her friend were smoking near other patrons at the restaurant, and continued to do so when Stevens arrived to join the party.
The patron dining near the group told The Daily Telegraph:
“Jon Stevens turned up with a friend and there were four of them there,” he said
“When we finished our meal, we got up and I turned around and said ‘OK, you can smoke your heads off now’.
“Jodhi jumped up and said ‘oh, I’m really, really sorry’. She was lovely and really apologetic. But Jon Stevens grabbed her and said ‘don’t worry about them’.’’
43-year-old Meares also attempted to pay outstanding traffic fines yesterday – which was the reason her licence was originally suspended – but was told by authorities that her licence was cancelled.
Previously, Mamamia reported…
Former model and fashion designer Jodhi Meares – is facing possible jail time after being caught drink-driving this weekend.
The Australian reports that 43-year-old Meares, who was once married to James Packer, was caught driving three times over the limit on Saturday night in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, after she crashed into three parked vehicles and rolled her own 4WD.
Police said she recorded a 0.181 blood alcohol reading, almost four times the legal limit.
Meares’ licence had already been suspended when she had the accident and crashed her Range Rover, just after 9.30pm on Saturday night.
Her own car and two others at the scene were so badly damaged they had to be towed away. Meares luckily escaped without injury.
A witness told The Australian, “We were inside at the time but all we heard was ‘boom!’ I saw the woman in the crashed Range Rover and people ran over to try and help. No one else was hurt.”
[AUDIO] Jodhi Meares’ car crash on Sullivan Road #BellevueHill. LISTEN: https://t.co/GhrRNi0mUd #breakingnews pic.twitter.com/zzQvsxbJUT
— Grill Team (@GrillTeam) June 22, 2014
Meares has been charged with both high-range drink-driving and driving while suspended. For these charges, she faces the very real prospect of a jail sentence.
Reports say that the maximum penalty for high-range drink-driving is 18 months behind bars and a fine of $3,300.
Michael Mantaj from Armstrong Legal told Mamamia that maximum sentences were usually reserved for worst case scenarios.
“This is not a worst case category offence, it’s what you would call an aggravated offence. I would not expect that Jodhi would be facing the maximum penalty.
“A person in these circumstances could expect to be facing the possibility of a custodial sentence – in other words, a jail sentence of some kind. However, the court may look at a suspended sentence, or a community service order.”
Mr Mantaj also told Mamamia that “every case is different, and we don’t know the circumstances surrounding the accident.” In cases like this the sentencing judge may also look into other factors, such as why the person charged was drinking at the time or any underlying mental health issues.
Dramatic pictures of the ‘DUI’ crash that’s put James Packer’s ex Jodhi Meares in hot water http://t.co/vHPi4fEiS9 pic.twitter.com/3VghLnkCXs — The Australian (@australian) June 23, 2014
The former model is currently engaged to INXS singer Jon Stevens, and was previously married to media mogul James Packer. The pair announced their separation in 2002, and later divorced.
Meares had planned to marry Stevens this September – but we think it’s safe to say the wedding celebrations may have to be postponed if there’s a jail sentence.
Meares has been ordered to attend Waverley Local Court on August 5. Her spokesperson has so far declined to comment on the reports.
More details as they emerge.
Top Comments
I don't think drink drivers should be jailed, unless they have killed someone whilst drink driving, then yes, lock up. But drink drivers do deserve to lose their licence for at least two years so that the message about drink driving gets through to them: if you drink (and are over the limit) and then you drive, you are breaking the law. It is a criminal offence to drink more than a certain amount of alcohol and then drive.
There's enough thugs in prison for worse crimes and it's expensive keeping people locked up when there are other measures to deal with particular crimes. Before I studied criminology, I would have said right, straight to jail, however that is a harsh measure that should be reserved for the most severest of crimes or when people keep re-offending in one way or another and are difficult to rehabilitate. Most people can be persuaded to change their behaviours using other methods besides locking them up. Loss of licence, paying a fine, home detention and community service would be a far more effective punishment in this case.
I can't agree that loss of licence or paying a fine is sufficient punnishment here. For someone so wealthy, a fine would be hardly noticed. Loss of licence is not a sufficient punnishment/deterrant because Jodhi had already lost her licence but still continued to drive.
That doesn't sound like a "public fight" (or even a "row" as the Telegraph headlined it):
"When we finished our meal, we got up and I turned around and said ‘OK, you can smoke your heads off now’.
“Jodhi jumped up and said ‘oh, I’m really, really sorry’. She was lovely and really apologetic. But Jon Stevens grabbed her and said ‘don’t worry about them’.’’
Ummm??
What I want to know is, where was Jon? Perhaps that factor might have something more to do with it than snarky smoking comments (especially when Jodhi was apparently lovely about it)...