Mansfield drops his drink-driving appeal

Andrew Phelan

THE son of businessman Jim Mansfield has withdrawn a legal challenge against his second conviction for drunk driving.

Jimmy Mansfield Jnr, an ex-boyfriend of model Katy French, had the appeal against his conviction, two-year driving ban and €2,000 fine withdrawn when the case came before the courts yesterday.

He was convicted, fined and banned four months ago for the incident that happened in October 2009.

An earlier appeal against a three-year ban was struck out by the same court last month.

Mansfield (43), of Saggart House, Saggart, did not address Dublin Circuit Court during the brief proceedings before Judge Raymond Fullam.

The request to withdraw the appeal was made by his lawyer.

convicted

Mansfield was convicted in July this year by Judge John O'Neill at Dublin District Court of drunk driving at Pembroke Road on October 2, 2009.

It was the second time he was caught over the limit in the space of two weeks.

The court had heard he was arrested after being caught driving a Porsche while over the limit, during a night out with his guests and a Saudi Arabian dignitary.

At the original hearing, Garda Siobhan Frisby said she stopped a 2008 Porsche Coupe which Mr Mansfield was driving in the early hours of October 2 last year on Pembroke Road in Dublin 4.

She said the car was weaving from side to side and the driver had problems maintaining control.

aphelan@herald.ie