Miranda: Labourer Joel John Davis convicted of fourth drink-driving offence

A labourer told police he’d done cocaine just before he was picked up for his fourth drink-driving offence trying to give his drunk mate a lift home, a court has heard.

Joel John Davis, (right), 30, leaving Wyong Local Court after narrowly avoiding jail for his fourth drink-driving offence. Picture: NewsLocal

An NBN Co labourer has been convicted, fined and disqualified from driving after pleading guilty to his fourth drink-driving offence.

It comes as a court heard he is still awaiting lab results after returning a positive reading for cocaine during a roadside drug test.

Joel John Davis, 30, of Budgewoi, faced Wyong Local Court on Wednesday where he pleaded guilty to mid-range drink-driving and driving a vehicle not fitted with an interlock device.

The police prosecutor sought an adjournment pending the results of a further drug analysis after Davis failed a roadside test for the presence of cocaine.

However Magistrate Robert Munro said he was prepared to deal with the charges currently before the court and police could proffer any further drug-driving related offence at a future date.

Davis told police he had taken cocaine before he was pulled over but he has not been charged with that. (File image)

Davis’ lawyer Tendayi Chivunga told the court her client had worked in construction since he was 15 and had not planned on driving but his mate was too intoxicated.

She said Davis had a few drinks at a friend’s place after work before going to the pub to keep drinking.

Davis, (right), appeared in court with his lawyer, Tendayi Chivunga (left). Picture: NewsLocal

An agreed set of facts states the NBN Co labourer was subject to an interlock order and a zero blood alcohol limit.

About 6.30pm on Saturday, May 25, police were patrolling the Gymea Hotel car park in Sydney and saw Davis get in the passenger seat of his mate’s Mitsubishi Triton ute.

“The vehicle was seen to exit the car park and police followed it, noting the headlights of the vehicle were not turned on despite the time of night and street lighting being on,” the facts state.

“As it drove along the Kingsway it intermittently crossed the broken lines slightly on several occasions while predominantly driving in lane three. The vehicle then turned south into Sylvania Rd against an amber signal with ample time to stop and then finally turned east into Pinnacle St, Miranda.”

Police pulled the ute over and found Davis behind the wheel. (Picture: file)

Officers pulled the ute over and approached the driver’s side window where they found Davis behind the wheel and his mate was in the passenger side.

Davis returned a positive reading for both alcohol and cocaine before he was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.136.

“The accused made admissions to having consumed five free pour drinks of Wild Turkey whiskey and diet coke at a private residence from 1.30pm to 5.30pm that day,” the facts state.

“He further made admissions to having consumed cocaine within the hour of driving to pick up the registered owner from the Gymea Bay Hotel.”

The magistrate said it was Davis’ fourth drink-driving offence following a special range in 2012, low range in 2017 and high range in 2019.

The court heard Davis was subject to an interlock order at the time of his latest offence.

Mr Munro convicted Davis of both counts, fined him $2500 and disqualified him for six months with a further 24-months on the interlock device.