Kuyan Laurie pleads guilty at Ballina Local Court to high-range drink driving after being caught during McDonald’s run
A North Coast P-plater was busted driving at almost four times the legal alcohol limit while on a late-night Macca’s run. It’s not his first time drink driving, a court heard.
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A Coffs Harbour P-plater was busted high-range drink driving at almost four times the legal alcohol limit while on a late-night Macca’s run at Ballina.
Kuyan Laurie pleaded guilty at Ballina Local Court to high-range drink driving.
It came after the was found low-range drink driving earlier this year, the court heard.
The 22-year-old was driving a Holden SUV when he was pulled over by police for a random breath test on River St, West Ballina about 4.30am on August 12.
Police asked Laurie for his driver’s licence and he said he did not have one before officers found out he was a P-plater, according to court documents.
“You don’t need to test – I’m over,” he told officers that morning.
Laurie was found to be in the high-range when tested at the roadside.
He was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station, where a follow-up test recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.182.
Defence lawyer Debbie Louise Green told the court Laurie had a knee injury preventing him from walking at the time and he was not thinking clearly.
“He made the wrong decision to drive as he was getting McDonald‘s,” she said.
Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Laurie’s licence was suspended for three months earlier this year after he was caught driving with a low-range blood-alcohol reading.
She acknowledged Laurie was a young man who pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.
But Ms Crittenden warned on October 5: “Drink driving poses a risk to the lives and safety of the community.”
Laurie was convicted and sentenced to a year-long community correction order. He must serve 50 hours of community service.
Laurie’s license was disqualified for six months.
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