Hewitt suspended 12 months
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) Stewards conducted an inquiry on Friday into a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) that benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite, was detected in a urine sample obtained from Mr Doug Hewitt at Bathurst trials on Monday 29 March 2021.
The reserve portion was confirmed by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL).
Mr Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 250(1)(a) as follows:
AHHR 250. (1) A driver commits an offence if:-
(a) A sample taken from him is found upon analysis to contain a substance banned by Rule 251,
AHHR 251. The following substances and/or their metabolites, artifacts, and isomers are declared as banned substances in drivers when present in a urine sample (unless otherwise stated) at a concentration above the applicable cut-off level:-
(d) All stimulants – substances in this group include, but are not restricted to,
….Cocaine (100μg/L).
Mr Hewitt’s drivers licence was wholly suspended for a period of 12 months to commence from 17 April 2021, the date upon which he was stood down.
Pursuant to AHRR 252A, Mr Hewitt was informed that upon completion of a drug and alcohol Program approved by HRNSW Stewards, a period of 3 months suspension would be stayed.
Mr Hewitt was also informed that an application would be considered by HRNSW Stewards for him to return to trackwork one (1) month prior to the expiration of the suspension period.
In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of the following:
- Mr Hewitt’s 2nd offence under Rule 250(1)(a);
- Seriousness of the offence;
- Mr Hewitt’s guilty plea, licence history, personal and financial subjective facts.
Mr Hewitt was advised of his right to appeal this decision of HRNSW Stewards.
HRNSW
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