NEW YORK: Pop star Justin Timberla­ke was handed a sentence of community service on Friday after he changed his plea to guilty following his arrest for drunk driving, US media reported.

On June 18, the 43-year-old entertainer was pulled over in the town of Sag Harbor, about 160 kilometres east of New York City, after police observed his BMW go through a stop sign and struggle to stay within road lanes.

Justice Carl Irace handed Timberlake a community service sentence and ordered the star to make a public statement after the singer pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of driving while alcohol impaired, broadcaster NBC reported.

The charge is a traffic violation that carries a fine between $300 to $500 and a 90-day license suspension.

Timberlake told Irace that he would be willing to perform between 25 and 40 hours of community service to settle the case, NBC reported.

‘Selfish’ star

“I try to hold myself to a very high standard for myself. This was not that. I found myself in a position where I could have made a different decision,” Timberlake said outside the court.

“Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car, there’s so many alternatives,” added Timberlake, who wore a dark cardigan and a pearl necklace.

“I grew up in a small town so I can appreciate and understand the strain, or unique nature, of what this must have been for the people of Sag Harbor... I’m very grateful and I thank them.”

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2024