DRIVING home after spending a day drinking alcohol in Dartmoor resulted in a costly outing for one Mount Gambier man.
The 23-year-old appeared in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court on Tuesday after recording a blood alcohol limit reading of 0.166.
The prosecutor said on July 21, the defendant recorded the alleged reading during a standard mobile test on White Avenue.
“The defendant said he was four-wheel driving with friends and began drinking at 1pm,” the prosecutor said.
The defendant was sentenced with an on the spot 12-month loss of license and an impound fee of $1091.50.
The defendant’s lawyer said their client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and requested he be sentenced with the minimum penalty.
“The weather had turned bad on the day which affected the defendant’s willingness to camp overnight,” the defendant’s lawyer said.
“His loss of license has had significant impact on his job.
“He has had to rely on friends as his family lives in Casterton.”
Magistrate Jack Fahey said the defendant’s decision to drive was a “foolish” decision.
“It put yourself and your friends in danger,” Magistrate Fahey said.
“You are lucky no one was hurt.”
Magistrate Fahey warned the defendant if he drove while disqualified he could be at risk of being sentenced with a jail penalty.
The defendant was sentenced with the minimum fine of $1100.
