27 April,2009 05:15 PM IST | | PTI
A local court today ordered former Australian cricketer Greg Matthews to undertake 200 hours of community service for his third drunk-driving offence and disqualified him from driving for one year apart from a fine of $73.
Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court Magistrate Sharon Freund ordered Matthews to perform 200 hours of community service, of which 20 would involve attending the sober driving program.
Freund noted Matthews was also caught high-range drink driving in 2001 and mid-range drink driving in 2003.
The 49-year-old ex-Test spinner had pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving, after returning a blood alcohol reading of 0.113 in March at Rushcutters Bay.
"To my mind it is a crime of selfishness," Freund was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press.
She noted the references submitted on the cricketer's behalf, including one from Wallaby great Nick Farr Jones, with many referring to his generous charity work. But she rejected a submission by his lawyer Thos Hodgson who said a community service order would be "overkill" because of the contribution Matthews already made to charities.
"Quite simply it is a very different type of work to be able to pick and choose the charity engagement that you wish to attend," Freund said.
