TAS: Archibald prizewinner faces court on drink driving charge

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-2003
TAS: Archibald prizewinner faces court on drink driving charge

HOBART, Dec 16 AAP - Archibald Prize winning artist Geoffrey Dyer faced a Tasmanian
court today over a drink driving charge he mistakenly thought had been dealt with nine
years ago.

The 56-year-old painter pleaded guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court to one count
of driving a motor vehicle while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit.

The offence occurred in Hobart on November 26, 1994, with Dyer recording a blood-alcohol
level of 0.146.

Dyer, who won the prestigious prize for portraiture earlier this year, also pleaded
guilty to one count of failing to appear over the charge on December 16, 1994.

Dyer's lawyer Jim Wilkinson told the court his client was surprised to find himself
in this situation as he believed the matter had been dealt with.

He said Dyer had handed in his driver's licence after the offence as he was taking
up a scholarship in France.

"He was in France as a result of the scholarship, believing everything was going along
as it should have," Mr Wilkinson said.

When Dyer discovered there was an outstanding warrant over the offence, it "surprised
him greatly".

The prosecution, meanwhile, could shed no light on the circumstances of the case as
Tasmanian Police could not find the original file.

Magistrate Helen Wood granted an adjournment, directing Dyer to reappear on January 9 next year.

Dyer won the Archibald Prize for 2003 with a portrait of award-winning Tasmanian author
Richard Flanagan.

AAP las/jv/jlw

KEYWORD: DYER

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