Steven Orr loses business and licence after two Fireball shots before getting behind the wheel

A beer line maintenance worker has lost both his licence and business after being stung for drink driving, with a reading the magistrate described as extraordinary.

Steven Orr, 58, a beer line maintenance worker lost his licence and business of 23 years after having two shots of Fireball before getting behind the wheel.

He appeared at the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to driving on January 25, with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.234, which Magistrate Brian Nitschke said was extraordinarily high.

“I think you may have heard a particular phrase on the TV, it may aptly describe a person who does what you did,” Magistrate Nitschke, referring to the ‘Selfish Prick’ ad campaign by the state government.

Orr’s lawyer Ms Ferones said as a result of the incident and instant loss of licence, Orr had lost his job and all contracts to hotels around Adelaide.

Ms Ferones said on January 25 Orr was driving to fix the beer taps at the Excelsior Hotel when he was told there would be no need to come, he then stopped at the Hampstead Hotel and drank mid-strength beers for several hours.

“He then saw a friend whose brother in law had died, they had two shots of Fireball as a tribute before he drove,” Ms Ferones said.

Steven Orr, 58, outside the Elizabeth Magistrates Court. Picture: Jason Katsaras

Police prosecutor Sergeant Andy Haynes outlined police had alleged Orr was involved in an accident which led to breathalysing him, however that allegation was later dismissed.

Sgt Haynes told the Magistrate Orr was previously convicted for drink driving on 20 December 2013 and was fined $1100 and disqualified for nine months and ten days.

Magistrate Nitschke said in the absence of a recorded blood alcohol reading, he expects it must have been a very high reading, based on the fine issued.

Sgt Haynes said Orr was also convicted for the same offence on 13 January 1986.

Ms Ferones submitted character references from Orr’s daughter and said Orr would never normally drink on a Sunday.

“He does not know why he drove his car that night, his tools which he needed for the next day were in the back of his work car,” Ms Ferones said.

“He moved in with his parents years ago to look after his father who had dementia, he passed away in 2017 and still lives with his elderly mother to look after her, she can’t drive and needs help getting to the shops and appointments.”

Ms Ferones asked for the minimum fine and licence disqualification period, saying his previous criminal history dates back some time.

In sentencing Orr, Magistrate Nitschke said he understood Orr’s dilemma of having his work tools at the hotel, but said that would have been no comfort to someone he could have injured along the way.

Orr was fined $1100 and ordered to pay an impounding fee of $1113.50 as well as a prosecution fee of $350 court fees were waived.