AFL’s bad boy Ben Cousins charged over police pursuit

Former AFL player Ben Cousins allegedly refused a breath test after he was caught driving recklessly in Perth last night, and has now been charged.

Police attempted to pull Cousins over on Preston Point Road in Bicton around 10.30pm last night after he was allegedly seen driving erratically.

The former West Coast Eagle allegedly continued to drive through red lights at low speed.

The Brownlow medallist reportedly told police over the phone he could not stop because he had a family emergency.

Police arrested him at the corner of Gill and Solomon streets in Mosman Park.

A WA Police statement said a 36-year-old man from Bicton, believed to be Cousins, was charged with reckless driving, failing to stop and failing to give a sample of breath.

He will appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on April 8 after being released on bail.

Cousins was suspended from playing AFL for one year in 2007 following a string of off-field incidents and substance abuse problems.

In 2009 the midfielder returned to Aussie Rules with the Richmond Tigers, but retired in 2010 after 32 games.