Paul Raymond Breen sentenced for .135 BAC drink drive in Hobart

An “unlucky” North Hobart dad caught driving almost three times the legal limit just minutes from home told cops he’d hit the road so his son could grab some dinner. Find out what happened in court.

Breath test.

An “unlucky” North Hobart dad caught drink-driving almost three times the legal limit just minutes from home told police he hit the road so his son could grab some dinner.

Paul Raymond Breen was behind the wheel of his grey Mercedes-Benz when he was stopped for a random breath test in West Hobart at about 8pm on August 26, 2022.

Hobart Magistrates Court on Thursday heard Breen recorded a blood-alcohol content of .135.

“ (Breen) was arrested, charged and bailed,” a prosecutor told Magistrate Reg Marron during Breen’s sentencing.

Breen was charged and sentenced on a single count of drive a motor vehicle while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit.

The court heard Breen had his first drink at 4.30pm and his last at 6.30pm, drinking gin and tonics and a “couple of” ciders.

Breen was pulled in for a random breath test after dropping his son in North Hobart to get dinner.

He told police he had taken his son to get some dinner when he was pulled up for the RBT.

Breen’s barrister Garth Stevens told the court that Breen’s “rash decision” came after his son had not been “satisfied” with dinner, and wanted to go to North Hobart for a meal

Mr Stevens said that in a round trip of five minutes, Breen was “unlucky enough” to be stopped by police.

It was heard Breen showed “dismay” for his behaviour, and that while he had prior convictions they were of “significant age” – more than 30 years ago.

Mr Stevens argued Breen’s behaviour was an “isolated lapse” and that he and his family would feel the “full effect” of his licence disqualification because of his decision.

“Have you ever heard of Uber Eats?,” Magistrate Reg Marron asked Breen.

Breen was fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Originally published as Paul Raymond Breen sentenced for .135 BAC drink drive in Hobart