Andrew Seaton: Intoxicated Dubbo stonemason’s lenient sentence after flipping car in the view of police

A Dubbo stonemason who flipped his car on a major highway near Dubbo and was later charged with mid-range drink driving has fronted court. Here’s what the magistrate had to say.

A stonemason who drunkenly flipped his Ford Ranger in front of police on a major highway near Dubbo has been convicted in court.

Andrew Seaton, 59, appeared in Dubbo Local Court, supported by his wife as he pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving on Wednesday.

According to documents tendered to court, in the afternoon of June 10, police were waiting for a rostered tow on the side of the Newell Highway when they noticed Seaton’s Ford Ranger attempting to overtake another vehicle which was turning right.

Andrew Seaton pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

Seaton deviated and went off the side of the road, and when trying to correct himself, the Ford Ranger had “rolled several times” for about 15 metres.

Officers rushed to the scene, escorting Seaton out of the car with both lanes of traffic affected with an alternative route established.

“Police observed the accused had a small laceration on the bridge of his nose,” court documents reveal.

Fire rescue and an ambulance were called to the scene with Seaton subjected to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result.

Due to his injuries, Seaton was taken to Dubbo Base Hospital where a blood sample was taken, and it was later revealed on June 22 he recorded a reading of 0.109.

On Wednesday, the court heard from Seaton’s defence lawyer, Timothy Cullenward who said it was “very fortunate” no one else was injured.

He said the 59-year-old completely understands he could be off the road for an extended period and will be subjected to an interlock licence.

“He is aware it carries a maximum of nine months in prison,” the defence lawyer said.

“If this was a high-range offence, we could be talking about a custodial sentence.”

Mr Cullenward explained that since the incident, Seaton has “taken significant steps to keep both of his jobs”.

Magistrate Phillip Stewart noted that it was a “nasty incident,” but was pleased with Seaton’s relatively clean record with one prior low-range drink driving charge from 1994.

Mr Steward ultimately convicted the 59-year-old, explaining that a community corrections order wasn’t necessary.

Seaton was fined $900 and following his three month disqualification from driving, he will hold a 12 month interlock licence.