Benn Stephen Peterson relapses into drinking after he was almost burned to death

The 39-year-old man ‒ who almost died after he was set on fire in 2017 ‒ was caught drink driving after he had been sober for several years, a court heard.

Benn Stephen Peterson pleaded guilty to drink driving.

A man who was the victim of an attempted murder had relapsed back into drinking when police caught him drink driving a court heard.

Benn Stephen Peterson, 39, pleaded guilty in Tweed Heads Local Court on Monday to mid-range drink driving, undergoing a sustained loss of traction and speeding over 10km per hour.

According to court documents, police received a number of complaints on February 20 in relation to a high performance vehicle and a P plater committing offences around Fraser Drive, Banora Point.

Police heard the sounds of a V8 revving rapidly and heading west towards them on Leisure Drive, where they saw Peterson driving a Holden Commodore Ute.

The vehicle slowed before turning left onto Fraser Drive causing it to rev and the rear tyres were heard to lose traction.

Police were able to catch up by the intersection of Amaroo Drive and calibrated the speed of the vehicle at 78km/h.

The vehicle reached the roundabout at Terranora Road and the engine was heard to rev again and lose traction around the roundabout.

Police attempted to catch up and were required to travelled at 120km/h.

Police stopped and spoke to the driver, Peterson, in relation to his driving and to conduct a breath test.

He admitted to drinking three full strength beers and two bourbons between 4pm and 10pm.

He returned a reading of 0.114.

Defence lawyer Cameron Bell told the court since the offence his client had completed a second residency at the a rehabilitation clinic after three years of abstinence.

He conceded this was the Burringbar man’s fifth drink driving offence, with the last in 2013 and drug driving offence last year.

He said his client was the victim of a serious crime where he was allegedly set on fire in 2017.

“He’s even lucky to be here today,” Mr Bell said.

He said his client had since suffered from PTSD and also had schizophrenia and was on medication.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said the facts were quite concerning, but Peterson was clearly very remorseful.

He took into account his successful completion of lived in rehabilitation which had improved his mental health.

He convicted and fined Peterson $750, ordered him to do a community correction order and sentenced him to the minimum disqualification and interlock orders.