Rodney James Stevens faces Grafton court pleading guilty to high-range drink driving

A magistrate slammed a Grafton “alcoholic” for his “unmitigated malarkey” after he was busted high-range drink driving: “You would’ve been dead if you weren’t an alcoholic”.

Rodney James Stevens was caught high-range drinking

A distraught partner burst into tears as a magistrate slammed a “delusional” Grafton “alcoholic” busted high-range drink driving at more than five times the legal limit.

Magistrate Roger Prowse told Rodney James Stevens: “You would’ve been dead if you weren’t an alcoholic”.

He said the 44-year-old’s belief he did not have a problem with alcohol was “unmitigated malarkey”.

Stevens faced the magistrate in Grafton Local Court pleading guilty to high-range drink driving, driving with a suspended license, low-range drink driving and two counts of driving unlicensed.

Mr Prowse immediately called for corrective services officers to be in the courtroom when the case was raised.

Four of Stevens’ supporters appeared tense as they watched on from the public gallery on March 13.

Stevens blew a reading of 0.256 – more than five times the legal limit.

Mr Prowse made his intentions clear from the offset.

“How will community safety be addressed if he’s not sent to jail?” he told the court.

Court documents state Stevens was denied entry into a South Grafton licensed premises for being “extremely intoxicated” on December 6 last year.

Staff called police to keep an eye on Stevens, who was later pulled over and recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.256.

Stevens was “uncooperative, cocky, antagonistic and irritable” during the breath test, according to police.

Magistrate Roger Prowse sent Stevens to prison.

Stevens smelt strongly of liquor and his license was suspended at the time, police state.

In April last year, Stevens was caught with a low-range reading and driving while disqualified.

Stevens told police he was “hungover” after drinking the night before when he was caught about 5:40pm.

The court heard Stevens history included several other drinking-related matters and on one occasion, he was arrested for driving unlicensed after his release from Grafton Police Station.

Defence lawyer Jesse Sinclair said an intensive corrections order could address Stevens’ behaviour.

“They (authorities) will supervise him and his drinking,” he said.

Mr Sinclair said Stevens’ family spoke highly of him and could offer help with rehabilitation.

Stevens’ family were seen in tears throughout the proceedings.

“You’re an undiagnosed alcoholic,” Mr Prowse told Stevens.

Stevens was slammed by the magistrate.

“You have a serious unambiguous problem with alcohol abuse. You’ll continue to be a danger to yourself.

“You’re not able to drink yourself almost to death and commit criminal offences and endanger the community.”

Mr Prowse said Stevens was “lying” to himself about not having alcohol problems, which would lead to reoffending.

“Your delusional self-belief is unmitigated malarkey,” he said.

Mr Prowse said Stevens had to do an “enormous amount of work” consuming alcohol to blow such a high blood alcohol reading.

“You would’ve been dead if you weren’t an alcoholic,” he said.

Mr Prowse slammed Stevens for disregarding court laws and said he posed a high risk.

“You will not be let loose on the Grafton community. Mr Sinclair has done a great job with nothing,” he said.

Magistrate Roger Prowse said Stevens posed too great a risk to the community.

Stevens sat silently as Mr Prowse continued.

“Sitting there shaking your head suggests the message is bouncing off you,” the magistrate said.

The court heard Stevens was forced to live in a motel after charges were laid, but the court did not hear why that was the case.

Mr Prowse was unmoved: “Confined to living in a motel – like thousands and thousands of people,” he said, perhaps in reference to the Covid pandemic.

Mr Prowse said jail-time was appropriate to protect the community from Stevens.

“You have contemptuous and flagrant disregard for the law,” he said.

Stevens was sentenced to serve two years and two months in prison and will be eligible for release on parole on July 11 next year.

Stevens’ partner cried: “It’s messed up man.”

He was also fined $750 and disqualified from holding a driver’s license for a year.