A Dubbo man who was so intoxicated he began crawling down Brisbane Street has been convicted of high-range drink driving.
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On July 20, police were out on patrol, when Phillip William Wheeler, 50, was spotted driving a white Toyota Prado leaving the Western Star Hotel.
According to court documents, he was seen to stall a number of times and began driving without headlights about 12.19am.
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Facts reveal Wheeler began driving the Prado in the middle of two lanes along Erskine Street before it was stopped by police.
Officers said they immediately smelt intoxicating liquor coming from the vehicle.
"You got me. I have had a few beers. You got me," Wheeler told police.
When asked for his licence, Wheeler said he couldn't remember if he had one.
"I don't remember if I have a licence, I can't even think of words at the moment," Wheeler said.
He returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested. On the way in to Dubbo Police Station, he had to be carried into the charge room due to his state of intoxication, facts state.
A breath analysis revealed Wheeler had a blood alcohol reading of 0.243 - almost five times the legal limit.
It took Wheeler some time to leave the police station after being released from custody as he could not walk. Moments before his partner arrived police said Wheeler fell and began crawling along Brisbane Street.
Police said this demonstrated how seriously affected by alcohol he was at the time.
At Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, Wheeler pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving.
Wheeler's defence told the court the need for a licence was paramount as he worked for a family agricultural business which took him to all areas of NSW and interstate.
The court heard Wheeler had been drinking at his local pub after work and claimed to have had a few mid-strength beers. He called his partner to pick him up, however there was no answer, which is when he "made the foolish and criminal decision to drive," Wheeler's defence told the court.
Magistrate Gary Wilson took into account Wheeler's need for a licence, and limited record holding a licence since 1987 with two minor offences.
"A reading of 0.243, that's right, right up there," Magistrate Wilson said.
"No doubt you were seriously affected by alcohol to the point you couldn't walk and crawled out of the police station."
Wheeler was fined $1000, convicted and placed on the interlock program for two years. His licence was suspended for six months back dated to July.
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