Aaron David Hargreaves sentenced for Tenterfield drink driving

The owner of a popular barbecue food truck has pleaded with a court to keep his licence after being caught drink driving.

Aaron David Hargreaves faced Lismore Local Court on Monday. Picture: Instagram

The owner of a Northern Rivers food truck won’t be able to get behind the wheel for some time after he was caught drink driving.

Aaron David Hargreaves, 39, pleaded guilty in Lismore Local Court on Monday to drink driving.

Hargreaves’ solicitor Natasha Wood told the court he was escaping an argument with his girlfriend when he hopped into a car under the influence.

She told the court he was later caught at Tenterfield, a drive over two hours from his house, where he recorded a 0.0807 blood alcohol reading.

His licence was suspended on the spot.

Ms Wood said Hargreaves was self employed as a caterer in a slow barbecue food truck which travelled to markets and events as far as the Tweed Shire and Glen Innes.

She said he needed to keep his licence for work.

Ms Wood also told the court Hargreaves suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and used a prosthetic leg as the result of a prior serious car accident.

Magistrate Jeff Linden said while Hargreaves had a reasonable driving history, a mid-range drink driving charge in 2017 in Casino, made the fresh charge a secondary offence.

He convicted Hargreaves and sentenced him to a 12-month conditional release order, which is similar to a good behaviour bond and does not involve time in prison.

Hargreaves was also disqualified from driving for six months and ordered to hold an interlock driver’s licence for 24 months.