Mid-range drink-drivers: Justin Degatardi, Amira Khedr and police officer Leanne Stephens in court
A boozy police officer who blew nearly twice the legal limit after running an orange light has been sentenced. Leanne Stephens was one of three drink-drivers dealt with in quick succession at court.
Central Coast
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An off-duty police officer, an aircraft mechanic and a 25-year-old woman who crashed into a fence have all been sentenced for what a magistrate has described as “too common” an offence committed by people of “good character”.
Senior Constable Leanne Kylie Stephens faced Wyong Local Court on Monday charged with mid-range drink-driving after she was pulled over on New Year’s Eve and later recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.09 — almost double the legal limit.
An agreed set of facts states police were patrolling Minnesota Rd, at Hamlyn Terrace, about 5.15pm on December 31 when they noticed the 46-year-old, who is attached to a specialist police command, driving a Toyota Corolla.
“At this time the accused was seen to drive motor vehicle (rego) in a westerly direction on Sparks Rd passing the intersection of Minnesota Rd through amber traffic control lights at a speed estimated to be in excess of the posted speed limit,” the facts state.
Police pulled Stephens over and she failed a roadside breath test before later recording a mid-range reading.
She told police she had consumed three bourbon and cola’s between 1.30pm and 4.30pm, two of which were self-poured and the third was a double-strength pre-mixed can.
Her solicitor told the court Stephens had not intended to drive but there was “an issue at home” and she was concerned about her mother, prompting her to go and check on her welfare.
Magistrate Stephen Olischlager said her driving record, which included 15 entries, was “far from unblemished”.
“You seemingly thought speed limits are more advisory than something of great importance,” he said.
Magistrate Olischlager said he hoped Stephens’ attendance at the traffic offenders program made her realise drink-driving, even in the mid-range, was “a cocktail for disaster”.
He convicted Stephens, fined her $700 and disqualified her from driving for three months with a further 12 months on an interlock device.
Stephens was one of three mid-range drink-drivers to appear before Magistrate Olischlager in rapid fire succession on Monday with aircraft mechanic Justin Graeme Degatardi also pleading guilty after blowing 0.09.
The court heard the 51-year-old was the head of maintenance for an aircraft company operating out of Scone Airport, as well as a small-business owner, who came under the notice of police when he didn’t stop properly at a stop sign.
An agreed set of facts states Degatardi, of Toukley, had a male passenger in his car when he cruised through the intersection of Holmes Ave and Hargraves St shortly before 11pm on December 17.
“Upon reaching the intersection of Hargraves St where a stop sign was facing the accused, the accused did not come to a complete stop before making a right turn onto Hargraves St,” the facts state.
When police pulled him over he identified himself as Justin Degatardi and told officers he had drunk six stubbies of beer at home between 6pm and 10.30pm.
He said he had driven to Toukley RSL and was returning home.
He was convicted, fined $800 and disqualified for three months with a further 12 months on an interlock order.
No action was taken in regards to failing to stop at the stop sign.
Amira Khedr, of Long Jetty, also faced court after pleading guilty to mid-range drink-driving when she ploughed into a fence at 3.50pm on December 10.
An agreed set of facts states the 25-year-old had a female passenger in her Suzuki when she lost control at the roundabout at Watkins and Pacific streets.
She crashed through a wooden fence and ended up in the backyard of a house on Pacific St.
She told police she was on her way to a music festival at The Entrance and had consumed three Vodka Cruisers shortly before driving.
Khedr was convicted, fined $1400 and disqualified for three months with a further 12 months on an interlock device.
The court heard she had paid to have the fence repaired.
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