’Judge grants Adesanya discharge without conviction after being caught drink-driving
UFC star Israel Adesanya has pulled a video from social media containing photographs taken inside the Auckland District Court after being asked to take it down by his lawyer.
The former World Champion appeared at the Auckland District Court on Wednesday where he was discharged without conviction
Judge Peter Winter granted Adesanya his second discharge without conviction, saying the problems it would cause the fighter in international travel and the potential loss of sponsorship deals were out of all proportion to the seriousness of the crime.
In his decision, Judge Winter referred to an affidavit from Adesanya that said he took full responsibility for his offending and was “deeply embarrassed”.
But less than an hour after leaving court, Adesanya posted a video to his 8.5 million followers that included photographs of himself taken inside the courtroom.
The photos show court staff in the background.
It also included a photograph of the young police prosecutor who had opposed his discharge, outside court. The photograph was accompanied by the song I Don't F... With You by Big Sean.
A spokesperson from the police confirmed they were aware of the video.
“[We] will liaise with the Court, who are responsible for security, about any next steps.”
Adesanya’s lawyer, Karl Trotter, said he was referred to the video’s existence by a journalist and left a message on his client’s phone, telling him to take it down.
“I left a message for my client to remove it... it’s disappointing to hear, but I can’t comment because I haven't seen it.”
Filming and photographing in court, without express permission from the presiding judge, is strictly prohibited.
To photograph Adesanya in court, various media organisations had to submit a six-page application form ahead of time.
Adesanya was driving a Bentley late at night on August 19, 2023.
A blood alcohol reading showed he had 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
The legal limit for drivers 20 years or older is 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.
If a driver has between 51 and 80 milligrams per 100ml of blood, the driver can be fined and given 50 demerit points.
But Adesanya’s reading of 87mg meant he faced a maximum of 3 months imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $4500.
However, his lawyer Karl Trotter said sponsorship contracts, potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars were in danger, should his client be convicted.
“So that’s the ballpark we are in,” Trotter said. He did not name the sponsor.
Trotter said Adesanya would also struggle to be allowed to enter Canada with a conviction and there was a Championship tournament booked for the end of the month.
“The adverse consequences, should my client be convicted, are monumental,” Trotter said.
The police opposed the application, with the prosecutor in court saying the troubles with sponsorship and travel long-term were speculative.
In his decision, Judge Peter Winter noted Adesanya had previously been given a discharge without conviction for driving while disqualified after notching up too many demerit points.
But he said Adesanya’s drink-driving reading was relatively low.
Judge Winter also noted that Adesanya’s management had sworn an affidavit to say that the fighter may be liable to repay 50% of his sponsorship money to the sponsor if the deal was terminated due to his behaviour.
He noted the fighter had contributed to charities and had worked hard to become an international fighter.
“You’ve bought credit on the country... I accept that in all other respects, you are an exemplary citizen.”
He said Adesanya had also not sought to hide his offending from the public by applying for name suppression.
The judge did, however, disqualify Adesanya from driving for 6 months and ordered him to pay $1500 to an accredited drink-drive charity and undertake a stop-drink-drive programme.
Adesanya thanked Judge Winter as the Judge rose and left court.
Adesanya was also ordered to pay for the medical and analyst fees, totalling $296.
