Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger has been handed a one-year driving ban after being arrested for drunk-driving.

The Canadian singer was stopped in June 2006 by police in Surrey, Canada after his Lamborghini was tracked at 160km per hour.

The 33-year-old’s blood alcohol level at the time was found to be nearly twice the legal limit and he was banned from driving for 12 months at a hearing in Vancouver on Thursday.

Kroeger was also fined $600.

Leaving the courthouse, Kroeger told reporters he does not condone drunk-driving and added: “Everyone makes mistakes”.

However, the singer’s defence team have confirmed they plan to appeal the conviction on the grounds that Surrey police had taken a breath test unlawfully when they arrested Kroeger.

Speaking to the Vancouver Sun newspaper, Kroeger’s lawyer said the breath sample should not have been admissible as evidence to the way in which it was obtained.

“The judge agreed with us that the sample was taken in contravention of section eight of the Charter of Rights, but he disagreed with us as to what he was prepared to do in response to that breach,” he explained.

“That’s the crux of the appeal.

“We respect the decision of the court, but disagree with it on the Charter of Rights application.”

Kroeger’s band Nickelback have been a fixture in the UK album charts of late, with All The Right Reasons seeing a resurgence in sales after the success of lead single Rockstar.

Source

WENN

Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger has been convicted of drink-driving. The Rockstar singer was arrested on 22 June in British Columbia, Canada after police stopped him for speeding. He was then charged with impaired driving and having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit. The 33-year-old star pleaded not guilty to the driving under the influence charge in November last year.

Kroeger – real name Chad Turton – initially attempted to have the charges dismissed by accusing the police of illegally obtaining breath samples from him prior to his arrest. The rocker’s lawyer argued an officer conducted an unlawful search of his client’s Ferrari after detecting the smell of alcohol on the singer’s breath. But a judge threw out the claims last month.

The star will be sentenced on May 1st and faces a $600 fine and a one-year driving ban.