Mabeline Evelene Robinson guilty to high range drink driving at Grafton

A Grafton woman almost crashed a car before blowing nearly six times the legal limit. She claimed she had drunk only “one sauv blanc”.

A South Grafton woman almost crashed her car before she was pulled over and blew nearly six times the legal limit.

A driver who almost crashed claimed she had drunk just one glass of wine before blowing six times the legal limit.

Mabeline Evelene Robinson, 38, pleaded guilty to high range drink driving and faced Grafton Local Court on Monday.

Police first caught sight of Robinson when they watched a vehicle almost hit a guard rail, before the car was jerked back into its lane on New Year’s Eve.

The patrolling police did a u-turn and pulled Robinson over near Rushford Rd, Grafton at about 4.30pm.

Facts state Robinson had “slurred speech” and trouble understanding basic instructions.

Robinson almost crashed into a guard rail before she was pulled over.

She had a number of “emotional outbursts” during the interaction before police breath tested her, according to documents.

Robinson blew 0.297 – almost six times the legal driving limit.

She told police she had drunk “one sauv blanc”, and refused to take a blood sample.

The court heard Robinson had “very little recollection” of the incident, but accepted the facts.

Her lawyer Jesse Kelly told the court Robinson accepted having issues with alcohol and was taking steps to reduce her consumption.

The court heard Robinson’s mother and sister died recently which “spiralled” her life out of control.

“She is taking steps to get back on track and is seeing a psychologist,” Mr Kelly said.

Robinson blew 0.297 – almost six times the legal driving limit.

Magistrate Juliana Crofts said Robinson was “lucky there were no injuries”.

“It could’ve been so very different and you would’ve had to live with the consequences,” Ms Crofts said.

The court heard Robinson considered the incident a “wake up call”.

Ms Crofts said she was “pleased” that Robinson had since enrolled in the Buttery Program, aimed at alcohol rehabilitation.

“You need people around you to help you,” Ms Crofts said.

Considering Robinson’s minor criminal record, she was handed the minimum licence disqualification period of six months, backdated to December 31, and fined $400.

She was ordered to hold an interlock driver’s licence for a minimum period of 12 months.