A FORMER South East man who left South Australia after being involved in a drunken car crash seven years ago has finally fronted court.
Paul Neville Addison appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court to be sentenced for traffic offences, which occurred in 2011.
The prosecution said the defendant crashed his car into the front of a house on the evening of October 1, 2011.
A witness reported hearing a smash, which sounded like an earthquake.
He left the scene of the crash before emergency services arrived.
When interviewed by police later, he told them he had earlier been drinking at a private residence on AFL grand final day before deciding to drive.
After the crash he lived in Victoria for several years before recently moving back to South Australia.
Magistrate Teresa Anderson highlighted the fact the defendant had led a reasonably good life since the offending.
“There is no suggestion you have been evading the police,” Magistrate Anderson said.
While the offending would usually result in a licence disqualification, Magistrate Anderson said it was a unique case.
The court heard if the defendant lost his licence he would also lose his job.
Instead of imposing a licence disqualification, Magistrate Anderson issued a $1200 fine and ordered Addison to pay court costs.
