Timothy James Hart: Alcoholic in third high-range drink drive

A Redlands man visiting friends in Ipswich told a court he got behind the wheel while six times over the legal limit to buy a homeless woman cigarettes.

Redlands man has told a court he is an “alcoholic” after racking up his third conviction for high-range drink driving after getting behind the wheel just shy of six times the legal blood-alcohol limit.

Redland Bay man Timothy James Hart, 39, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday to a single charge of drinking under the influence of liquor (i.e. higher than 0.15 per cent BAC).

The court heard the offence came to light when Hart was pulled over for a breath test near the intersection of Doyle St and Blackstone Rd at Silkstone at 7.38pm on September 7 this year.

His breath analysis revealed a blood-alcohol content of 0.293 per cent.

He told police he had drunk 12 midstrength beers in the previous six hours, the court heard.

Redland Bay repeat high-range drink driver Timothy James Hart, 39. Picture: Alex Treacy

However, addressing Magistrate David Shepherd at Thursday’s sentence, he also confessed to downing three or four vodkas in Quick order before hopping behind the wheel.

“I am an alcoholic,” Hart told the court.

“I was staying at a motel in Ipswich visiting some friends.

“I decided I’d keep drinking once they left.

“I went outside to get some fresh air and saw a young woman collecting cigarette butts. She told me was homeless

“I said to her, get in the car and I’ll buy some cigarettes.”

Hart was busted as he drove back to his motel.

The court heard this was his third high-range drink driving conviction.

He had previously been busted with blood-alcohol contents of 0.253 per cent and 0.24 per cent, as well as other convictions for driving dangerously while adversely affected and a lesser drink driving.

Hart told the court he had lost his employment as a cleaner since his latest offence.

He said he was seeking treatment for his alcoholism, including with ATODS, HADS, a psychologist and Alcoholics Anonymous.

He was placed on two years’ probation and disqualified for driving for 18 months.