Matthew Vincent Milton pleads guilty to driving with a high range PCA

A 36 year-old Southern Highlands man has pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol reading over five times the legal limit, while on a strict bail condition of not drinking alcohol.

A Southern Highlands man has pleaded guilty to driving with a blood alcohol reading over five times the legal limit, while on a strict bail condition of not drinking alcohol.

Matthew Vincent Milton, 36, appeared via audiovisual link at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday for his release application, after being charged for driving with a high range PCA.

According to the facts provided to the court, when Milton was caught by police, he said he was driving to see his drug and alcohol counsellor and had not consumed any booze.

But his lawyer, Michael Doughty, said on Tuesday that “being in custody has improved his clarity.”

Matthew Vincent Milton, 36, was observed driving erratically on Bendooley Street, Bowral, on Monday. Picture: Google Maps

Court documents state the Balaclava local drove to the Southern Highlands Police Station in Moss Vale on Monday morning to report as part of his bail conditions.

The court previously heard that he was on bail for sexual touching without consent.

Only half an hour after reporting, facts state a witness saw him driving erratically on Bowral Street, Bowral, having observed the behaviour from Moss Vale Rd, Burradoo into the Bowral CBD.

Documents state she then contacted triple-0 out of concern for his manner of driving.

Shortly after, police attended Bendooley Street and saw Milton’s car facing south of the intersection of Wingecarribee Street in an unusual state.

Documents read the car had mounted the kerb – almost hitting a signpost – in an area meant for motorcycle parking.

It was immediately apparent to police that he was well affected by alcohol, as documents state he had difficulty producing his licence, and smelt strongly of liquor.

He was then placed under arrest for the purpose of a breath test, which came back with a reading of .266, just over five times the legal limit.

Facts state he admitted to police that he’d consumed “three, four or five flasks” of white wine at Exeter – which the court previously heard was at his grandfather’s house – and ate toast and leftovers while drinking.

The court heard this was his fourth alcohol related charge.

Matthew Vincent Milton appeared via audiovisual link at Moss Vale Local Court on Tuesday. Picture: Wesley Lonergan

Milton was escorted to a police truck and taken to Southern Highlands Police Station, where his licence was immediately suspended, and he was taken into custody.

Police facts state that he posed a significant risk to himself and the community, where traffic between Moss Vale and Bowral is usually expected to be moderate to heavy at that time.

Magistrate Mark Douglass rejected his release application and encouraged him to seek medical assistance in custody.

Milton will next appear at Moss Vale Court on May 26 for both driving and sexual touching without consent matters.