Canberra chef Hyosung Jang sentenced for drink driving

A Canberra chef has learned his fate after he was nabbed drinking four times over the limit.

Hyosung Jang has faced the ACT Magistrates Court for sentencing after he was caught four times over the limit. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

A repeat drink driver was found four times over the limit after he crashed his new car into a tree.

Hyosung Jang, 37, faced the ACT Magistrate’s court for sentencing after pleading guilty to drink driving.

The statement of agreed facts state Jang crashed his white Suzuki swift into a tree near the Newcastle st, Fyshwick, exit of the Monaro highway at 5.23am on July 24 last year.

Jang also hit an exit sign as he left the marked lane.

He was found by police at 5:30am with blood on his face and a bruised forehead.

Hyosung Jang was caught with a BAC of at least 0.2 after he crashed his car into a tree. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Police said there was significant damage to the front and left side of the car and said the front windscreen had been shattered with the airbags deployed.

Jang had slurred speech and a noticeable odour of liquor in his breath and appeared disoriented.

As a P-plater Jang was not allowed to drive with any alcohol in his system, but tested positive to alcohol.

Jang was transported to The Canberra Hospital after the crash where he gave a blood sample.

The statement of agreed facts stated the blood test found Jang had a BAC of “not less’ than 0.200 which falls within the level four drink driving range.

Mr Jang’s lawyer told the court her client was a Korean national and a permanent resident of Australia who worked at a Japanese restaurant.

Hyosung Jang was caught with a BAC of at least 0.2 after he crashed his car into a tree. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

She said Jang would soon be eligible to apply for Australian citizenship and said jail time could ruin his citizenship prospects.

The lawyer said Jang and his partner had faced difficulties trying for a child, and said they planned to marry this year.

She said Jang got behind the wheel to get home after a night of drinking and said he had only recently purchased the car causing financial loss.

The lawyer confirmed her client had previously been convicted of drink driving.

Speaking through an interpreter Magistrate Lisbeth Campbell said Jang had been “slow to learn his lesson”.

“That lesson is about (not) driving a potential lethal weapon with alcohol in your system,” she said.

“The alcohol in your system was worryingly high.”

“Two times now you have driven a car because it suited you rather than caring for the safety of the community.”

Ms Campbell convicted Jang, fined him $2000, suspended his licence for 30 months and sentenced him to a 12 month good behaviour order.