Susanne Claire Day faces Ballina Local Court pleading guilty to high-range drink driving
A “belligerent, combative” drink driver was caught leaving a bowls club at more than four times the legal alcohol limit in a busy northern NSW tourist town.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A high-range drink driver was caught more than four times the legal alcohol limit with her vehicle’s high beams on after leaving Lennox Head Bowls Club.
Susanne Claire Day, 46, faced Ballina Local Court on Thursday pleading guilty to high-range drink driving and driving an unregistered car.
Police noticed the Ballina woman’s Mazda sedan leave the club’s car park about 10.30pm on January 14, court documents state.
The car passed police with its high beam lights on, causing officers to pull the car over on King St for a roadside breath test,
Day and her partner were on the way home after celebrating their 27th anniversary at the Lennox Head Bowls Club, the court heard.
Day smelt strongly of alcohol and was slurring her words.
When police asked her if she had been drinking she replied: “Yeah, I’m f--ked”.
Police checks confirmed the Mazda was not registered.
Day was arrested and taken to Ballina Police Station after blowing positive.
“Upon arrival at the police station she was belligerent, combative and either could not understand directions given to her, or did not want to,” police facts state.
She returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.212.
“Day’s ability to drive on this occasion was severely hampered by intoxication and the danger she posed to other road users can not be underestimated,” documents state.
Day refused to tell police about how many drinks she consumed or whether she had eaten.
Police facts state traffic and pedestrians were in the area because the club was closing at the time of Day’s offending.
Day completed a traffic offenders program and faced court with no previous traffic or criminal history.
Magistrate Karen Stafford said Day recorded a “very high” blood alcohol reading, but “police pulled you over because you had your high beams on”.
“ ... it’s important you recognise the harm drink drivers can cause to the community,” she said.
Ms Stafford sentenced Day to a nine-month community corrections order, including 80 hours of community service work and fined her $1200.
Day was disqualified from driving for six months and must use an alcohol interlock device for two years after her licence is returned to her.
Another appeal after savage attack on elderly ex-police officer
A Casino woman has appealed a jail-term after she encouraged a group attack on a 76-year-old ex-cop, punched the man and smashed his phone in a Lismore street. Here’s the latest.
Fatally injured mum told ambo boyfriend attacked her
An inquest into the horrendous death of a northern NSW mother due to traumatic head injuries has heard she agreed when asked if her boyfriend “did this”. Possible criminal charges have now been flagged.