Amanda Richardson sentenced for returning reading over seven times the legal limit after Belair crash
A magistrate was astounded by a mother’s alcohol reading after she rolled down an embankment, saying it was the highest he’d seen in his 32-year career.
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A drunk driver who was breathalysed at more than seven times the legal limit left a magistrate with a 32-year career astounded at how she had still been functioning.
Amanda Jayne Richardson, 51, was told by Magistrate Kym Millard most people returning her “extraordinarily high reading” would have been asleep or getting their stomach pumped.
The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday heard police were called to Old Belair Rd, Belair, about 11am on June 7, 2021 after Richardson’s car drove over an embankment.
“She stumbled out of the car and appeared dazed and confused,” a police prosecutor said.
Richardson was breathalysed and recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.371, more than seven times over the legal limit. Police also found alcohol in her car.
The Huntfield Heights mother-of-two pleaded guilty to drink driving, driving without due care and driving unlicensed.
Tim Dibden, for Richardson, told the court she had been driving from her home in Huntfield Heights to visit her partner in hospital on the day of the incident.
“She was stressed about him having been in hospital for a couple of days and had commenced drinking heavily after a period of six months abstinence,” he said.
“She apologises for her driving on that day both to the court and society at large.”
Mr Dibden said Richardson saw a sign to Belair and realised she was driving in the wrong direction.
She then turned into a carpark to do a three-point turn but in doing so her car rolled down the embankment.
The court heard Richardson works as a volunteer in a Christies Beach op shop.
Mr Millard said most people at that reading would have been asleep or getting their stomach pumped.
“It’s an extraordinarily high reading and indicative of the fact that Ms Richardson has obviously had alcohol issues for a long standing period of time,” he said.
Mr Millard said it was one of the highest readings he’d ever seen and it was fortunate no-one was injured in the accident.
“I’ve been a magistrate for 32 years and it certainly would be the highest reading I’ve ever seen with the level of capacity that you exhibited,” he said.
“So you’ve got major issues – if you keep drinking to this extent you’re going to … have liver problems and pancreatic problems … and possibly brain dysfunction.
“You’ve still got kids that need you in this world … so do what you can to reduce your alcohol dependence.”
Mr Millard sentenced Richardson to a two-year, $100 good behaviour bond.
He also disqualified her from driving for 20-months backdated to June 7, 2021 and fined her $1100.
Convictions were recorded.
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