Benjamin Grout pleaded guilty to drunk driving after watching a sporting game with his dad

A longstanding defence force sergeant has lost his licence, and a commendation, after a police busted him on a two-minute drive almost twice the alcohol limit.

A well respected sergeant in the Australian Defence Force will not receive a highly coveted award after pleading guilty to drunk driving earlier this year.

Benjamin Grout, 44, sat with his hands crossed in the dock at Christies Beach Magistrate Court on Monday as the court heard how he was “seduced” into driving home after watching a sporting event back in March.

A police prosecutor to the court, Grout was at his fathers home where he consumed five to six beers between 7pm and midnight and made the decision to drive home – which was only two minutes away.

Police pulled over Grout en route where he blew 0.091.

“You were seduced into the ease of driving your car for two minutes when you really could have walked it and picked your car up in the morning,” Magistrate Susan O’Connor said.

Benjamin Grout pleaded guilty to drunk driving earlier this year.

Grout’s lawyer told the court that his client – who has served in East Timor as well as being a ceremonial guard at Buckingham Palace – had been under significant stress in his personal life at the time of the offence.

“After appearing in court today he will face further disciplinary action as a part of his employment,” he said.

“He was to be promoted at the end of this year which now will not be occurring and he has lost his opportunity to receive a silver commendation, he’s mortified.”

Grout’s lawyer asked Magistrate O’Connor if a no conviction would be considered in an attempt to save his career.

“It’s a regulatory offence and because a person’s character doesn’t come into it, it usually is dealt with a conviction,” Magistrate O’Connor said.

“I can’t ignore guidelines from the Supreme Court because there is a fundamental misunderstanding.”

Grout was fined the minimum of $900 as well as the impounding fee of $1113.50.

He was also disqualified from driving for six months. A conviction was recorded.