Police catch Coffs Harbour ex-firefighter Justin Sodhi weaving through traffic while high-range drink driving in school zone
A Coffs Harbour disability support worker and ex-firefighter previously caught mid-range drink driving has now been busted weaving through school zone traffic at almost five times the legal limit.
Police & Courts
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A Coffs Harbour disability support worker and ex-firefighter was almost five times the legal alcohol limit when he was caught weaving his 4WD in and out of traffic in a school zone.
Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi told police he downed about a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky the night before he was pulled over.
Magistrate Robert Walker told the court Sodhi had “graduated” to more serious offending after being caught mid-range the year before.
The 34-year-old man pleaded guilty to driving with a High Range PCA first offence when he faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday.
Police were patrolling the school zone on Harbour Dr when they spotted a blue Mitsubishi Triton weaving in an attempt to pass traffic on the afternoon of November 28.
Officers who stopped the car noticed a “pungent smell of intoxicating liquor” and Sohdi’s bloodshot eyes, court documents state.
Sohdi recorded a positive reading on a roadside test and a follow-up breath analysis at Coffs Harbour Police Station returned a reading of 0.238 – almost five times the legal limit.
Sodhi tabled a letter to the court and noted his service as a firefighter with Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.
He was charged with mid-range drink driving on June 26, 2021 and sentenced to an 18-month community release order without conviction, expiring on January 18.
“He’s graduated,” Mr Walker told the court, adding that Sohdi was an essential worker.
“Normally you would go to jail today,” the magistrate said.
Defence lawyer James Janke replied: “I’ve told him (Sodhi) how close he is.”
Sodhi was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month intensive correction order, fined $1500, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
His licence was disqualified for six months and he is subject to a 24-month alcohol interlock device order.
Mr Walker advised Sodhi the “worst thing you can do to your life is drink alcohol”.
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