Adelaide Crows star Josh Worrell will not be going to jail despite pleading guilty to running a red light and hitting a pedestrian on his way to AFL training in July.
The “embarrassed and remorseful” 25-year-old admitted he was not paying attention when he struck the man on Port Road in Woodville West.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: New CCTV released as ‘embarrassed’ AFL player pleads guilty in court
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CCTV footage of the incident was played during his first court appearance on Friday, when he stood in the dock and pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care.
His lawyer Andrew Culshaw said his client wasn’t speeding but was simply distracted.
“This is inattention … it’s a portion of road he drives through frequently,” he said.
“He certainly should have done better.”
Culshaw added it was “a human mistake to make”.
“He’s incredibly embarrassed and remorseful,” he said, adding Worrell was also “relieved because he’s acutely aware this could have been worse”.
Prosecutors dropped a second charge of failing to report to police.
After the incident Worrell could be seen pulling over and getting out of his car to help the injured pedestrian.
Worrell drove his victim to hospital and stayed with him for three hours while he was treated for a 2cm laceration to his head, abrasions to his right knee and general soreness to his neck and lower body.
The magistrate reassured Worrell he will not be sent to jail, but needed more time to consider his punishment — either a fine, a good behaviour bond or community service.
He will learn his fate on Tuesday.
