Andrew David James Markwell blew 0.159 after picking his children up from Immanuel College

A drunken school run has cost a father this license after he forgot it was his turn to pick up the kids and got on the beers.

A registered nurse and laundromat owner who blew more than three times the legal limit has blamed his ex-wife for not reminding him it was his turn to do the school pick up.

Andrew David James Markwell, 47, pleaded guilty to driving with prescribed alcohol with his two children – aged 11 and 6 – present in the car, in Christies Beach Magistrate Court

Markwell told Magistrate Teresa Anderson his former partner hadn’t reminded him to do the school run.

“I forgot,” Markwell told

“Normally my ex-wife sends me a reminder when I need to pick the kids up but she didn't.”

A police prosecutor told the court police responded to reports an intoxicated male collecting children from Immanuel College just before 4pm on August 20.

Christies Beach Magistrates Court. Picture: File

“Police stopped the vehicle along Morphett Rd in Warradale where the defendant submitted to an alcohol test,” she said.

“He recorded 0.159 and was issued an instant loss of licence for 12 months.

“He told police he had been drinking beer at home before he attended the school.”

The court heard, Markwell had committed similar offence dating back to 2018 including a conviction for drinking driving.

“Do you think you have a problem with alcohol?” Magistrate Anderson asked.

“Anyone that has a blood-alcohol level of 0.159 in the middle of the day when you’ve really just gotten back on road after a previous drink driving matter, I would think they have an alcohol problem.”

“No but I did a while back,” Markwell replied.

Magistrate Anderson fined Markwell $1600 and disqualified him from driving for three years.

A conviction was recorded.