Mathew Colin Hickson guilty to driving with a high range PCA

An electrician was caught driving by police in the Southern Tablelands after consuming 12 schooners of mid-strength beer at a hotel.

An electrician was caught driving in the Southern Tablelands after consuming 12 schooners of mid-strength beer at a hotel.

Mathew Colin Hickson, 42, appeared via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday.

The Oakdale resident was charged for driving with a high range PCA, which he previously pleaded guilty to.

Mathew Colin Hickson appeared via audiovisual link at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Craig Dunlop

According to a fact sheet tendered to the court, at about 11pm on Thursday March 10, Hickson drove his car from the carpark of the Astor Hotel in Goulburn and started travelling on Clinton Street.

Facts state police observed him speedily turn into Sloane Street without indicating.

In response, police activated their warning lights and siren and stopped his car, which Hickson was the sole occupant of.

According to documents, when asked if he had consumed alcohol, he said “Yeah man, heaps.”

He was then arrested and taken to Goulburn Police Station for the purpose of a breath test, which returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.154.

Documents state Hickson confessed to police he had consumed 12 schooners of mid-strength beer between 5-10pm.

His licence was subsequently suspended due to the high range reading.

Facts state he had previously been convicted with a relevant offence within the last five years.

Magistrate Geraldine Beattie requested a sentence assessment report and scheduled his sentence for May 5 at Picton Local Court.