Brian Houston to serve punishments after pleading guilty to DUI charges. The founder of Hillsong Church was caught on February 26 last year drink-driving.
The Christian Post reports Houston pled “guilty” to driving under the influence of alcohol on April 11. This however was after his initial plea of “not guilty” on April 4.
For the general DUI charges, He has been sentenced to 3 years of DUI probation and a fine of $140. Houston also was required by the court to complete a three-month first-offender alcohol program by May 11. In addition, he is to complete a victim impact counseling by July 10. Also, he is to participate in self-help meetings for a period of one year until April 11, 2024.
Houston who also was caught with a blood alcohol content of 0.8% or more has not been sentenced for the charge, reports Christian Post.
“Drivers who are convicted of the DUI and this enhancement are required to take a longer alcohol education program and often face harsher penalties,” the law group explains on its website, according to The Christian Post. “A BAC of 0.20 percent is two and a half times the legal limit. And drivers who have high BACs are more likely to cause collisions while on the road. As a result, the California legislature has increased penalties for drivers who drive under the influence with high BACs, even if they have no prior DUI offenses,” it added.
CBN News reports Houston used alcohol to cope with life challenges. “Many people have asked – “how do you continue to get up, cope, and keep going?’ And now we know the answer. I haven’t coped very well at all. I openly admit that alcohol has been no friend. And I am determined to relegate it to my past,” Houston wrote.