McDonald's mogul Hani Sidaros 'quite embarrassed' by drink-driving offence

The self-made millionaire was convicted, fined $850 and disqualified from driving for six months when he appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Sidaros, 55, had moments earlier pleaded guilty to a drink-driving charge after blowing 0.134 - more than two-and-a-half times the legal limit - on June 12.

Court documents show police stopped Sidaros after spotting his white Lexus travelling across a grass median strip on the Majura Parkway that morning.

The O'Malley resident had "sleepy, watery and bloodshot" eyes, according to police, who say he admitted having had "a bit too much to drink" the previous night.

After returning the positive breath test result, Sidaros was given an immediate suspension notice that banned him from driving for 90 days.

When police asked if he understood this, the 55-year-old replied: "No idea, no understanding, no nothing".

"The defendant did not show any signs of remorse and his demeanour was indifferent," ACT Policing said in a statement of facts.

Sidaros' lawyer, Kamy Saeedi, on Wednesday told the court this conclusion about remorse was unfair because "different people react differently to situations like this".

"Mr Sidaros was quite embarrassed," he said.

Mr Saeedi said his client's family had been enduring "a very difficult period" and Sidaros had gone for a drive to escape "tension at home", though this was no excuse.

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He referred to the court case of the businessman's bikie son, Axel, who is currently in jail awaiting the outcome of an appeal against convictions for several serious offences.

The lawyer also drew attention to the 55-year-old's extensive charity work as an indication of his otherwise excellent character, which was described by a number of referees.

Mr Saeedi applied for a non-conviction order, in part because of what he argued was extra-curial punishment brought on by a news story about Sidaros being charged.

"In relation to The Canberra Times' article, obviously it must've been a slow day," he said.

Prosecutor Crystal Holt argued against Sidaros being spared a conviction.

She said Sidaros was a repeat drink-driving offender, though she accepted the only other offence on his criminal record had occurred some 33 years ago.

Magistrate Louise Taylor ultimately declined to make a non-conviction order.

Ms Taylor said Sidaros had returned a high reading, and drink-driving was a prevalent offence the court needed to deter others from committing.

She told Sidaros the 90 days he had already spent off the road would count towards his six-month driver's licence disqualification.

According to the Canberra Business Chamber website, Sidaros' company owns 15 McDonald's outlets in the ACT and NSW.

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