Father-of-three busted at almost four times legal limit on Stanthorpe highway

The Stanthorpe court heard claims the father-of-three was on his way to buy food when he was busted drunkenly swerving along the New England Highway at night.

A father of three was more than three times the legal alcohol limit when he was caught by police swerving on the New England Highway in Stanthorpe. Photo: iStock

A father-of-three has fronted court after he was busted behind the wheel at almost four times the legal alcohol limit on a major Stanthorpe highway.

The Stanthorpe Magistrates Court heard police nabbed Troy Robert Reilly at about 9.40pm on May 31 along the New England Highway, where he was seen “swerving between the fog lines”.

Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa said the 48-year-old returned a blood alcohol concentration of 0.198.

According to defence lawyer Andrew Wiseman, a “very hungry” Reilly got behind the wheel in desperate search of food after not eating all day.

“There was nothing in walking distance so he got into the car to get food, but he is devastated (at) his actions,” Mr Wiseman said.

Mr Wiseman said his client was aware his actions had “thrown his family under the bus financially”, but argued a lengthy disqualification period would affect his ability to work and thus care for his children.

Magistrate Julian Noud said Reilly exhibited “clear signs” of the potential to cause injury to himself and other motorists and his similar traffic history made his offending “more concerning”.

Reilly pleaded guilty to driving a car while under the influence of liquor in a type 2 related vehicle offence.

He was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for nine months.