The man who picked up an assault conviction and a hefty legal bill after he intentionally spilt whisky on President Jacob Zuma at the Vodacom Durban July says he will be attending the race meeting next week – but he has promised to be on his best behaviour.
Speaking to the Daily News on Thursday, Daryl Peense was in good spirits, saying he had made a mistake spilling his drink two years ago, but he had made amends.
“I was found guilty and paid my fine. I’ve always said what I did was not intentional, but a mistake,” said the Gauteng businessman and horse racing analyst.
Peense was convicted of assault for spilling a few drops of his whisky on Zuma from a balcony overlooking the parade ring at the 2010 July. He was fined R8 000 in December, with half the fine suspended for three years. The charge against him was laid by Zuma’s bodyguards and evidence in the trial was that the president had not even been aware of the incident, let alone the court case.
Soon after his sentence, he told the media this was the most expensive drink he had ever had because this episode cost him R130 000 in legal fees alone.
Peense said despite everything, he would never miss the Durban July as he is part of the racing industry. Asked what he would do differently this time around, Peense laughed and said: “I can’t avoid a mistake. There’s nothing I can do differently as it wasn’t done intentionally.” - Daily News