Three strikes and you’re out: repeat drink driver blew 0.344

A woman who was seven times the legal limit when cops found her collapsed in her car has blamed a pet dog for her actions.

Jodie Leigh Boulton leaves Holland Park Magistrates Court after her sentencing for high-range drink driving.

A magistrate has berated a serial high-range drink-driver after she blew 0.344 per cent, telling her she had recorded one of the highest blood-alcohol readings he had come across this year.

The court heard Jodie Leigh Boulton was so drunk she was found collapsed over the centre console of her Honda Accord on Hamilton Rd, Moorooka, late on July 9.

It was her third such offence in recent years, Magistrate Simon Young said.

Boulton was pulled over in 2018 and 2013 for high-range drink-driving.

The car did not have an interlock device, even though she had been ordered by a court to install one.

Police prosecutor Carmel Massingham said when police opened the car door, about 11.20pm that night, it reeked of alcohol.

The headlights were still on and witnesses earlier saw the car spin out of control on Beaudesert Rd before being driven off in the direction of Hamilton Rd, the court heard.

Boulton said she had sought treatment for alcohol abuse but at the time was distressed because her dog was very ill and she was still traumatised by the loss of her father’s house in the NSW bushfire disaster.

“I know this sounds silly but my dog, who I’ve had for 13 years, is very much like a therapy dog to me and is very unwell,’’ a tearful Boulton said.

“But I understand that’s not an excuse for this disgusting behaviour.

“I could have hurt a lot of people. I’ve embarrassed my family, who are good people who have never been before a court.’’

Boulton also said her doctor had told her she had poor liver function and she said that may have partly explained the very high reading.

Mr Young said Boulton appeared to have insight into her behaviour, had pleaded guilty and appeared to be genuinely remorseful.

He imposed 12 months’ probation, disqualified her from driving for three months for the interlock offence and disqualified her for two years for drink driving.

Mr Young also convicted Boulton of those offences and convicted her for driving an unregistered vehicle but did not further punish her for that offence.

RELATED NEWS

Woman almost nine times over the limit

Irishman with $300-a-week Guinness habit falls asleep at wheel

NRL star disqualified after crashing car at Rochedale

Hoon magnet: Brisbane’s worst area for street racing

Wannabe air force pilot clocked at 148km/h while drunk