Former AFL footballer Jeffrey Garlett has been slammed by a magistrate for driving at nearly five times the legal alcohol limit in Albury.
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The former Melbourne and Carlton player, who has signed with the O&M's Albury Tigers, fronted Albury Local Court on Monday and was handed a 12 month community corrections order for the November 15 offence.
Magistrate Richard Funston labelled his actions, which included driving through a red light, as "appalling".
"Not only could you have killed yourself, but you could have killed families," Mr Funston said.
"What message does this send to the community?
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"This is just appalling, you had 10 to 12 schooners and then drove through the intersection at almost five times the limit."
Garlett, 31, did not speak during the sentencing hearing, but nodded as Mr Funston delivered his sentence.
Defence lawyer Angus Lingham told the court his client had completed a traffic offenders intervention program and was working hard to "establish life outside of football".
The court heard Garlett now works at an Albury school helping with disadvantaged students.
Police were heading east in North Street, North Albury, on November 15, 2020 at about 12am when they saw a utility go through a red light at the Young Street intersection.
They activated their warning lights and sirens, but the driver did not stop. Instead, the ute travelled along Frauenfelder Street before going slowly around a corner.
They stopped and then spoke to Garlett, noticing a strong smell of alcohol.
He admitted he had been drinking, having downed his last drink about 45 minutes before.
Garlett failed a breath test, was arrested and taken to Albury police station, where he provided a reading of 0.241 from his 3pm to 11pm drinking session.
Mr Linham told the court Garlett's father had just had a stroke in Perth and due to the pandemic he was unable to travel to see him, conceding he had then drank more than he usually would.
"There is a dual edge to your contribution to the community," Mr Funston said.
"This now becomes part of your story.
"It was a Saturday at midnight, this is a vehicle for general deterrence, you are a person with a 10 year football career, who drank himself stupid and then drove."
