A Dubbo man has fronted court after he was caught mid-range drink-driving.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Scott Andrew Bentley, 41, was driving along Douglas Mawson Road in a silver Toyota Kluger when he was stopped by police for a random breath test, about 3.55pm on June 5.
According to police, when officers approached the vehicle and Bentley wound down his window they "immediately" smelt intoxicating liquor coming from inside the vehicle.
READ MORE COURT AND CRIME:
Police asked Bentley if he had any alcohol, to which he said "yeah, I've had some wine about half an hour ago."
Following a positive roadside breath test he was taken back to Dubbo Police Station where he returned an alcohol reading of 0.084.
In Dubbo Local Court last month, Bentley pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving.
Defence lawyer David Pheeney said Bentley had a limited criminal history, but had a similar conviction over 19 years ago.
"There's some speeding matters on his record, but his record is not significant," he said.
Mr Pheeney said Bentley had great need for a licence and urged the Magistrate to grant his client an exemption to the interlock order, on the basis of financial hardship.
Magistrate Gary Wilson said while is was a "matter of concern" he had a similar prior conviction, he noted it had occurred in 2001.
Due to his limited income, lack of criminal history and his reading, which was just into the mid-range, Magistrate Wilson sentenced Bentley to an 18-month conditional release order.