Toowoon Bay: Craig Bannister, 48, blew 0.265 after drink-driving

A Long Jetty man was so drunk police had to help him out of his car and then forgot he had even been driving after ploughing into rubbish bins, a court has heard.

Craig Anthony Bannister, 48, of Long Jetty, pleaded guilty to drinking 13 cans of Tooheys New before driving. Picture: NewsLocal

A red P-plater, who was so blind he couldn’t even remember driving after crossing onto the wrong side of the road and ploughing into some rubbish bins, will be assessed to see whether he should go to jail.

Dressed in a green prison jumper Craig Anthony Bannister faced Wyong Local Court on Friday after spending a night in police cells.

Police were called to the roundabout of Toowoon Bay and Eloora roads at 7.26pm on Thursday following reports a car had crossed onto the wrong side of the road, mounted a gutter and collided with some bins and a council street sign.

Witnesses came out to assist the driver but Bannister refused to get out of the car.

Police arrived a short time later and found him still sitting in the driver’s seat with slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and an open carton of Tooheys New cans on the passenger seat.

Craig Anthony Bannister, 48, of Long Jetty, leaving Wyong Local Court after pleading guilty to high-range drink-driving. Picture: NewsLocal

“The accused was submitted to a roadside breath test which produced a high-range reading of 0.295,” an agreed set of facts states.

“Police assisted the accused with getting out of the vehicle as he was unable to do so himself due to his high level of intoxication.”

He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he recorded an official blood alcohol reading of 0.265 and checks revealed he was the holder of a red Provisional licence.

Craig Anthony Bannister told police he had consumed 13 cans of Tooheys New. Picture: NewsLocal

“Due to the accused’s level of intoxication he did not participate in an electronically recorded interview, however he stated he consumed approximately 13 cans of Tooheys New,” the facts state.

“Although he denied being the driver of the vehicle at the time.”

Bannister said nothing when his matter was mentioned briefly in court on Friday where his Legal Aid solicitor pleaded guilty on his behalf to high-range drink-driving and negligent driving.

Magistrate Alan Railton said it was Bannister’s fifth drink-driving offence and that “unless there is some miracle” the 48-year-old, of Long Jetty, was unlikely to quit drinking.

Magistrate Railton granted Bannister bail on the condition he surrender his car keys to The Entrance Police Station within 48 hours and not occupy the driver’s seat of any vehicle.

He also ordered Bannister to undergo a sentence assessment report with Community Corrections to see whether he should be jailed or if he was suitable for community service work.

Bannister was adjourned for sentence on February 6.