Simon Baker, the n star of The Mentalist, has pleaded guilty to drink driving but skipped Wednesday’s court hearing in northern NSW to go surfing in Sydney instead.
The 55-year-old was excused from facing Mullumbimby Local Court in person on Wednesday morning, with his lawyer appearing on his behalf.
Court documents show a guilty plea has been entered for driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (first offence).
Prosecutors withdrew a lesser count of attempting to drive under the influence of alcohol.
He was busted on Booyung Rd in Nashua, about 30km from Byron Bay, early in the morning on July 20, and was charged by NSW Police last month.
He will appear in court for sentencing on September 11.
It’s understood Baker splits his time between Tamarama in Sydney’s affluent eastern suburbs and a country property in Nashua, between Lismore and Byron Bay.
The Devil Wears Prada star has frequently been photographed driving around Byron Bay in a 2020 Tesla Model 3.
While his case was heard in Mullumbimby, Baker was spotted looking fit and trim in his wetsuit as he hosed his lawn after an early morning surf at Bondi, 800km away.
n star of The Mentalist Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink driving but skipped court in northern NSW to go surfing in Sydney 800km away
While his case was being heard in Mullumbimby, Baker was spotted looking fit and trim in his wetsuit as he hosed his lawn after an early morning surf at Bondi
Two days before his court mention, Baker had headed to a workout at the Bondi Icebergs gym.
Baker cut a casual figure in a blue shirt, green shorts and white cap.
Baker earned himself a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his portrayal of Patrick Jane in The Mentalist between 2008 and 2015.
Most recently, he was nominated for a TV Week Logie Award and 11 other awards for his leading role in the Netflix drama Boy Swallows Universe.
Simon Baker pictured walking to Icebergs gym on Tuesday
Baker splits his time between Sydney’s eastern suburbs and Nashua in northern NSW
Baker, who played Robert Bell in the Netflix hit, was previously married to Rebecca Rigg, but they separated in 2020 after 29 years of marriage.
They have three children and co-own the property in Nashua.
Baker has a long history in the NSW northern rivers region, having spent much of his youth in Lennox Head.
Following his marriage breakdown, he briefly dated Byron Bay activewear designer Laura May Gibbs.