A driver who blew more than three times the blood alcohol limit has been convicted, stripped of his licence for six months and ordered to serve a good behaviour bond.
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Todd Bradley Morgan, 33, was pulled over on the Mitchell Highway at Dubbo, recorded a reading of .194 and his licence was suspended on the spot.
He faced Dubbo Local Court and pleaded guilty to a high-range drink-driving charge.
Magistrate Paul Hayes convicted Morgan, ordered him to enter into a 12-month good behaviour bond and imposed the disqualification and an alcohol interlock order.
Between about midday and 6pm on February 5 Morgan had gone to the Macquarie River at Wellington, court documents show.
There he had drunk beer and spirits-based drinks, as well as eating a couple of sausage sandwiches.
About 7.25pm police saw a ute travelling westbound on the Mitchell Highway at Dubbo drift across the centre line and decided to conduct a breath test, the documents show.
Morgan, the driver and sole occupant, returned a positive reading and was arrested.
The defence told the court Morgan’s driving was the culmination of a weekend of parties.
His client had attended a function the evening prior to the offence, getting home about 4am and having a sleep, the solicitor said.
Morgan then went to the barbecue that afternoon, and consumed more drinks which had possible had the effect of “topping him up”, he said.
“He was extremely surprised at the reading,” the solicitor said.
As well as the disqualification, a 24-month alcohol interlock order was made.