A Dubbo man busted behind the wheel of a car more than three times the legal limit has been warned of the catastrophes his "enormously selfish" act could cause.
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Stuart Sheather, 28, broke down in court after asking Magistrate Brian van Zuylen for a second chance to take part in the traffic offenders program, after being expelled the first time.
"I know I've done the wrong thing. I'm after a second chance to re-write my wrongs," Sheather pleaded to the court.
However Sheather was savaged by magistrate van Zuylen who said he didn't deserve a second chance at the program, and slammed him for his "enormously selfish" and "seriously criminal" behaviour getting behind the wheel of the car while under the influence.
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"People like you seem to think you can drink as much as you like and get in a car," he said.
"Someone high-range drove badly in Penrith where I normally work, went on the other side of the road and smashed into a car coming the other way and killed a woman eight months pregnant with twins, a passenger and left the father with brain damage. He got 15 years for that.
"Another man high-range, ran off the road and killed five children on their way to get ice cream, he's bail refused waiting sentence.
"These are the sort of catastrophes that can happen, but people such as yourself, high-range drink driving come along say they're working, I've got a good job, I'm sorry. They don't think about what they can do."
According to court documents Sheather was spotted travelling in a Toyota landcruiser on Talbragar street at about 1.27am when he was stopped by police for a random breath test on November 13.
Police approached the vehicle and saw Sheather in the drivers seat along with another male passenger.
After producing a positive roadside breath test he was taken to Dubbo Police Station and returned an alcohol reading of 0.171.
According to police Sheather's breath smelt strongly of alcohol and appeared slightly unsteady.
Representing himself in Dubbo Local Court Sheather pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving.
Sheather was disqualified from driving for six months, backdated to November and ordered to have an interlock device installed for 24 months.
He was also fined $1700.
Interlocks are electronic breath testing devices linked to the ignition system of cars, motorcycles and heavy vehicles.
Drivers must provide a breath sample that the interlock analyses for the presence of alcohol before the vehicle will start.
Convicted offenders must pay for the electronic breath testing device and use it every time they want to drive.
Zaarkacha Marlan
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
Court and crime reporter at the Daily Liberal. Formerly the sole journalist for the Nyngan Observer, Narromine News and Trangie Advocate.
