Dale Hourn: Tradie convicted for drink driving and speeding

A central west tradie who drove 35km over the speed limit and escaped getting breath tested, has been convicted for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dale Hourn, 49, was convicted for speeding and driving under the influence.

A central west tradie who drove 35km over the speed limit and escaped getting breath tested, has been convicted for speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol.

Dale Hourn, 49, appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Wednesday pleading guilty to the two offences.

Speeding through Wheelers Ln and Myall St, police suspect Hourn was driving at 85km/h on a Friday evening in March.

When police activated their warning signs, Hourn activated his right indicator and pulled into a turning lane to pull up on his front lawn.

Facts tendered to the court state when police approached Hourn on his yard, he said he was a “f--king idiot”.

Dubbo Courthouse. Picture: Jedd Manning/Western Aerial Productions

“As the police approached the accused, they could smell intoxicating liquor on the accused’s breath, his eyes were bloodshot and he was unsteady on his feet,” the facts stated.

““As the accused was at his place of abode - no breath test was conducted.”

As police were speaking to Hourn on his yard, they noticed he was “unsteady on his feet”.

He was charged and arrested for the belief that he was driving under the influence.

His solicitor Jennifer Spear said her client understands that “this was a massive wake up call,” and that Hourn does not want to “cause an accident”.

She said he previously attended a rehabilitation centre for his alcoholism in Cessnock and “is trying to get his life on track”.

She pleaded for his licence stating that Hourn works as a labourer in Brocklehurst - requiring his licence to get to and from work as there is no public transport.

Magistrate Gary Wilson convicted and disqualified Hourn from driving for six months, imposed the alcohol interlock for 2 years and fined him $300.

Hourn surrendered his licence in the courthouse.