‘Super volunteer’ John Paul Ndayiragije sentenced for high-range drink driving near Coffs Harbour

Bacon and eggs could not save a highly-regarded member of the Coffs Harbour community from recording a blood alcohol reading a magistrate had described as one of the highest she has seen.

John Paul Ndayiragije was sentenced to an intensive correction order for high-range drink driving when he faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on August 21. 2024.

A Services Australia worker is “lucky to be alive” after he was caught by police driving at nearly six times over the legal blood alcohol limit north of Coffs Harbour.

John Paul Ndayiragije, originally from Burundi, was sentenced in Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving.

The court heard police spotted Ndayiragije, 37, who now lives in Coffs Harbour, driving erratically before was pulled over near Corindi about 2pm on March 24 – and he blew a blood-alcohol level of 0.297.

Police noticed Ndayiragije’s grey Kia swaying in and out of a lane while travelling over the 110km/h speed limit.

The court heard the offence represented the fourth time Ndayiragije had been charged with drink driving, with two mid-range convictions and a low-range conviction on his record in the previous 14 years.

John Paul Ndayiragije sentenced for high level drink driving in Coffs Harbour Local Court on August 21, 2024.

Magistrate Julia Virgo acknowledged Ndayiragije’s “alcohol abuse disorder” and a “diagnosis of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) arising from a very significantly traumatic childhood in his country of origin”.

However, Ms Virgo told the court self medicating with alcohol for PTSD was a separate matter to getting behind the wheel while drunk.

“The abuse of alcohol, where it becomes a crime, is when you get behind the wheel,” she said.

Ndayiragije’s lawyer Todd Ritchie described his client as a “productive” member of society who had been working at Services Australia for 13 years after a “disadvantaged background”.

Mr Richie tendered a Coffs Coast Advocate article in which Ndayiragije was described as a “super volunteer” after being recognised as an upstanding member of the community by the Attorney-General.

The lawyer also handed up a psychiatrist’s report, a letter of support from Ndayiragije’s church and a Magistrates Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT) program assessment report.

John Paul Ndayiragije (pictured in 2009) previously described as a “super volunteer” has been convicted for high range drink driving at Coffs Harbour Court on Wednesday.

Mr Ritchie told the court Ndayiragije spent the evening before drinking with a friend, went to sleep and had a “hearty breakfast” of bacon and eggs before he hit the road.

Ms Virgo sentenced Ndayiragije to a 12-month intensive correction order and ordered he not enter any licensed premises while the order was in place.

“It is a particularly high reading,” she said.

Ms Virgo said it was one of the highest readings which had come before her in the court.

Ndayiragije was also fined $300, ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and to attend drug and alcohol counselling.

His licence was also cancelled for nine months. Ndayiragije will be required to use an interlock device for a period of two years once he is allowed to drive again.