Conner Matthew Phillip Marson fronts Dubbo Local Court after bursting tyre in front of police while drunk

A heavily intoxicated Dubbo man who burst his tyre on a gutter as police were waiting at nearby traffic lights has faced court. Here’s what the magistrate had to say.

A Dubbo man who was heavily intoxicated and burst the front left tyre of his vehicle on a gutter in front of police has fronted Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

Conner Matthew Phillip Marson, 24, appeared in court accompanied by his mother and grandfather, pleading guilty to high-range drink driving.

According to documents tendered to Dubbo Local Court, on May 21 at around 2.55am, Marson turned into Victoria St from Whylandra St when police were waiting at the set of traffic lights.

Conner Marson appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday.

“Police observed the accused take the corner wide and as he entered Victoria Street the accused‘s passenger side of the vehicle impacted heavily with the northern side gutter of Victoria Street causing the rear passenger tyre to burst,” agreed facts state.

Police activated their warning lights as Marson was already in the process of stopping his vehicle.

Due to the manner of Marson’s driving he was submitted to a breath test that returned a positive result, and he was arrested and taken to Dubbo Police Station for further testing.

He returned a reading of 0.151 and his licence was immediately suspended.

Marson later told police that he consumed 10 schooners of Carlton Dry, starting the night before his arrest at 8.30pm and finishing up at 2.45am.

The court heard from Marson’s lawyer, Warwick McCarthy that his client has “blemished his record in a major way” through his offending.

Mr McCarthy said Marson has taken responsibility for his actions, understanding that there was a need for his disqualification from driving.

He continued by describing the matter as serious, although raising Marson’s involvement with the local church, exemplified by a reference submitted to the court from his local pastor.

Due to being suspended, Mr McCarthy highlighted Marson’s recognition about the effects of his actions with his grandfather taking over the responsibility of taking him to the worksite as he has recently qualified as a carpenter.

Mr McCarthy finished his submissions by appealing to Magistrate Theresa Hamilton for a lenient penalty due to good character and his successful completion of the traffic offenders program.

In sentencing Marson, Magistrate Hamilton noted Marson’s early plea of guilty and his completion of the program. But due to his manner of driving and that he was “clearly affected” by alcohol, she said it was a serious matter.

“It’s clear (to me) that he told police that he shouldn’t have been driving,” Magistrate Hamilton said.

However Magistrate Hamilton recognised Marson’s references, admitting that he was “obviously well thought of”.

Marson was convicted and disqualified for six months with a two-year mandatory interlock licence imposed.