A 42-YEAR-OLD theatre nurse has been fined $1000 for high-range drink-driving.
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Lisa Jane Carlaw pleaded guilty when she appeared before Magistrate Andrew Eckhold in Dubbo Local Court.
The court heard Carlaw came to police attention when the car she was driving almost hit a kerb in Brisbane Street at 12.22am on August 10.
Breath analysis revealed a blood alcohol reading of 0.179.
Police suspended Carlaw's licence at the scene.
The court heard Carlaw had been drinking with friends at the Milestone Hotel.
She was experiencing stress associated with a job promotion to nurse unit manager and had not eaten before consuming alcohol.
The solicitor representing Carlaw said she was extremely disappointed with her decision to drive after drinking.
Since the incident she had voluntarily stepped out of the job promotion and returned to being a theatre nurse. Magistrate Eckhold was told Carlaw was otherwise of outstanding character.
She had completed a traffic offender education program.
Magistrate Eckhold said Carlaw was in a profession where she would see the results of drink-driving.
"You would no doubt be embarrassed to be in court,'' he said.
"This has been a big wake-up call."
"A message must be sent to the community about the danger of drink-driving and lives put at risk. You made a mistake and admitted it and have done something about it.'' Carlaw was disqualified from holding a driver's licence for 12 months. In addition to the $1000 fine she was ordered to pay $83 court costs.