James Herring: Brunswick Heads tiler charged with high range drink driving

A northern NSW man caught drink driving blamed “arm-twisting“ and ”emotional blackmail” from childhood friends for his decision to get behind the wheel under the influence.

A northern NSW tradie was busted drink driving at more than three times the legal limit after a wild party at a brewery where his friends engaged in “arm-twisting” and “emotional blackmail”.

Brunswick Heads man James Herring was charged with high range drink driving after being pulled over by police in Mullumbimby when exiting the Hoopers Craft Beer parking lot late on July 30.

His solicitor told the court the 25-year-old apprentice tiler was feeling unwell and did not plan to drink, so he drove to the event where many people he had grown up with attended.

“There was a bit of emotional blackmail and arm twisting. He wanted to leave and was trying to go and another person would come and hand him another drink,” the solicitor told the court.

Herring slipped out of the party to go home without telling anyone to avoid the efforts to make him stay, the court heard.

James Herring: Brunswick Heads tiler charged with high range drink driving exiting Mullumbimby court.

He left the Mullumbimby venue driving a silver Holden Commodore and came under the notice of police after exiting the Hoopers Craft Beer parking lot and driving over a grass median strip, according to police documents tendered to Mullumbimby Local Court.

Police followed the accused for a short period before he was stopped for a random breath test, where he blew 0.165 - more than three times the legal limit.

At court, Herring pleaded guilty to the offence, and magistrate Karen Stafford said: “There is a strong need for the courts to send a message to the community about drink driving”.

Herring was convicted and fined $800. He will receive the minimum disqualification of six months to start on July 30.

After that Herring can drive only with an interlock device for two years.