Reality television personality Skye Wheatley has addressed claims of alcoholism following an incident where she was found passed out in a car after consuming a bottle of Jim Beam. Wheatley, 32, was banned from driving for five months and fined $700 after pleading guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the alcohol limit.
According to reports, police discovered Wheatley unconscious in her vehicle at a McDonald's on the Gold Coast. Officers detected a strong smell of alcohol emanating from the car after tapping on the windows to wake her. Wheatley registered a blood-alcohol reading of 0.119.
Wheatley's lawyer, Belinda Robinson, told the court that her client had been experiencing anxiety and depression, had recently ended a long-term relationship, and was sleep-deprived upon returning home from a trip to Melbourne. Robinson stated that Wheatley had barely eaten for a week prior to the incident and had gone to McDonald's for a drink after returning to an "empty house."
Police prosecutor Darcey Hugonnet and Acting Magistrate Mark Whitbread expressed skepticism regarding the defense's account that Wheatley purchased the alcohol after arriving at the fast-food venue. Whitbread commented that the presented scenario sounded "unbelievable."
In mitigation, Robinson informed the court that Wheatley has taken steps to address her mental health and relationship with alcohol. She has participated in a police program since August 20, consulted a psychologist, and begun medication for anxiety and depression. "She understands how unacceptable her conduct was, she's very remorseful and regretful for her behaviour, which she says she'll never repeat," Robinson stated.
Wheatley, who gained initial fame on Big Brother Australia in 2014 and has since cultivated a significant social media following, has publicly stated her deep disappointment in her actions. "I made a really poor decision and I'm deeply disappointed in myself," she told the Daily Mail earlier this month. "There isn't an excuse for what happened. I take responsibility for my actions and I know I have to deal with the consequences."
Wheatley has shared on social media that her two young sons are helping her through this challenging period. She posted a clip to TikTok showing her playing with her child, captioning it, "Even through the s**t times I have two baby angels to make me smile every day."
In a since-deleted Instagram clip, Wheatley reportedly conceded that she had been using alcohol as a coping mechanism and to mask pain since she was young, according to the Outspoken podcast. The podcast hosts claimed Wheatley viewed the court proceedings as a much-needed "wake-up call."