Ezra Mam: Brisbane Broncos NRL star avoids jail after sentencing for drug-drive crash
Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam has avoided jail after pleading guilty to causing a horror road crash with illegal drugs in his system.
The talented playmaker and Queensland crowd favourite addressed the waiting media outside the Brisbane court, mentioning the victims of the crash he caused on October 18 in his short apology..
“Today is a very important step in learning from my actions and starting to make things right,” Mam said.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“To the people involved in the accident I am truly sorry.
“This incident isn’t a reflection of what I want to be and what is expected of me as a role model.
“To the NRL, Brisbane Broncos, the fans, my family – I am sorry.
“I promise to work on being a better person.”
Mam was arrested and charged for driving with drugs including cocaine in his system after the serious crash.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty in Brisbane Magistrates Court to one count of driving while relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a licence.
Mam was driving his ute when it collided with an Uber at Bardon, in Brisbane’s west.
Two people in the car, a child and a woman, suffered minor injuries.
Mam failed a roadside drug test at the crash site and a second later at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
He entered a rehabilitation facility shortly after for four weeks and is undertaking counselling for a year.
He was fined $850 and had his licence disqualified for at least six months with no conviction recorded.
The player can expect significant sanctions from the NRL and the Broncos now the court matter has concluded.
His new coach at the Broncos, Michael Maguire, suggested that his player will learn lessons from the crash and court proceedings and will fall into line with whatever penalties are handed down regarding his playing future.
“I’ve obviously had a number of conversations with him, and Ezra’s working through the process of going through what he has to,” Maguire told Nine’s Today show.
“I think he’s learnt a lot from this moment in time. He’s a young man that’s made a mistake, and he’s working hard to make sure that he moves forward now in the right path.”
“He’s gone away and looked at himself and he’s done things outside of sport to realise what he needs to do moving forward. It’s really up to him.
“Each day is a new day to make sure he makes amends and keeps working forward.”
