A Tomingley man who was busted drink-driving for the fifth time gave up alcohol for good on Valentine's Day, a court has heard.
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Police spotted Alan George Young, 64, swerving along Darling Street in Dubbo in a white Mitsubishi magna sedan about 4.10pm on November 16 last year.
According to police, highway patrol officers were driving behind Young when they saw him swerve into the left hand side of the roadway and back, before coming to a stop about 400 metres south of the intersection at Myall Street.
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Young was pulled over for a breath test which returned a positive alcohol reading of 0.135.
He told officers he had consumed six Hammer and Tong light cans of beer at his house before going to the Milestone Hotel where he had a further two schooners of Great Northern mid-strength beer. He also said he had consumed a meal of fried chicken at his home.
In Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday, Young pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving.
The court heard Young had previously been charged with four drink driving offences, with the last offence in 2014.
Defence lawyer Ivy Johnson said he had been guided by his doctor to reduce his alcohol consumption, and had achieved complete abstinence on February 14 this year, which was "quite significant" for him.
"Valentine's Day he had his last beer," she said.
Ms Johnson argued Yong lived in a remote location 20 kilometres out of Tomingley, and had a strong need for a licence.
"He has been getting one lift with a truck driver, then back with another, that's how he has been getting to and from Dubbo," she said.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said while his last offence occurred a number of years ago, his record was not of assistance to him and warned the offence carried up to 12 months imprisonment.
However Magistrate Wilson recognised he had taken positive steps toward rehabilitation.
"It was your manner of driving that brought you to the attention of police, and you were at 0.135 so you're right up there," he said.
Young was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order, disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to install an interlock device for 24 months. Magistrate Wilson also fined him $750.
"I can assure you if you come back with the same type of offence, that there'll be no other option than to impose a custodial sentence," he said.