Anthony Clifford pleads guilty to drink driving in Moss Vale McDonalds carpark

A man who owns a number of service stations across NSW has condemned his own actions after he was busted driving drunk around a McDonalds carpark, almost hitting parked cars before mounting a gutter.

A service station owner has fronted court after he was caught drink driving around the Moss Vale McDonald’s carpark.

Police were called to the McDonald’s in Moss Vale when witnesses saw a man swerving through the carpark, nearly hitting two cars and mounting the gutter.

Anthony William Clifford, 41, appeared in Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to refusing to submit to a breath test and refusing to provide a drivers licence.

At approximately midnight on June 30, police were called to the carpark by concerned citizens.

Witnesses told police they had seen a man driving a dark SUV come into the carpark, nearly crashing into two parked cars before parking across disabled parking spaces. Witnesses said Clifford then tried to reverse into a parking space and collided with the gutters.

Anthony William Clifford said he was remorseful for his actions.

When they approached Clifford, police facts show he became argumentative with the witnesses before walking towards Argyle St. According to the facts, he returned a short time later and was “extremely unsteady on his feet”.

Clifford was captured on CCTV entering the McDonalds, where police found him not long after. Police facts show they determined he was “well affected by intoxicating liquor” as he was slurring his words, unsteady, and smelt strongly of booze.

Police facts show Clifford was argumentative and refused to provide his drivers licence or submit to a breath test. After repeated breath test requests from police, the Northwood resident was arrested and taken back to the station, where facts show he still refused to provide a breath sample.

In a letter to the magistrate, Clifford said his actions made him “feel sick to the core”.

“My actions were both incredibly reckless and dangerous,” he said.

“My refusal to submit to a breath test was foolish and immature.”

Anthony William Clifford was caught drink driving in the carpark of Moss Vale McDonald's. Picture: Google

Clifford, who operates a number of service stations across NSW, said he understood he had put others in danger and set a terrible example for his children. He acknowledged a problematic relationship with alcohol and disclosed he has “stopped drinking altogether” after his arrest.

He also told the court he had participated in a traffic offenders program and continues to volunteer at a local St Vincent De Paul store.

“I am committed to becoming a better person via any means possible,” he wrote.

“The court has my word I will never commit an offence of this nature again.”

Magistrate Mark Douglass noted Clifford has a number of speeding offences and a high-range drink driving conviction on his record.

“His traffic history does not assist him,” he said.

He told the court the offences were serious enough for Clifford to potentially be sent to jail. However, the magistrate recognised Clifford’s remorse and efforts at rehabilitation and determined he would serve his sentence in the community.

Magistrate Douglass sentenced Clifford to a 12-month community corrections order and disqualified him from driving for six months. He also imposed a fine of $1200 and ordered Clifford to participate in rehabilitation.