P-plater convicted over Baulkham Hills crash after drinking 12 beers

A P-plater has been convicted for drink driving after consuming a dozen beers and crashing into a power pole in Baulkham Hills.

The teenager, aged 18, from Toongabbie, was sentenced at Parramatta Local Court for mid-range drink driving on April 25.

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A P-plater has been convicted for drink driving after consuming a dozen beers and crashing into a power pole at Baulkham Hills.

James Anderson, 18, from Toongabbie, was sentenced at Parramatta Local Court today for mid-range drink driving after being involved in a nasty crash on Gooden Drive during the early hours of Thursday, April 25.

Mr Anderson was taken to hospital by ambulance following the crash, which saw him lose control of his vehicle at a roundabout before ploughing into a power pole about 2.30am.

The crash happened at the roundabout of Gooden Drive and Tamboura Ave. Picture: Google Maps

A blood test in hospital revealed Mr Anderson had a blood-alcohol level of 0.147, just below a high-range drink driving offence.

“If you had gone over 0.15 you would be looking at a jail sentence today,” Magistrate Andrew Miller said.

Mr Miller sentenced the young driver to a community correction order for 12 months with conviction and disqualified him from driving for four months. He was not fined.

Mr Miller said it was a “significant offence” considering Mr Anderson was not only intoxicated but was also involved in a crash and was driving on a provisional licence.

He added the alcohol limit for a P-plater was zero.

He was sentenced at Parramatta Local Court.

It is Mr Anderson’s first driving offence.

Police facts did not state whether he suffered any injuries in the crash but did state his vehicle was significantly damaged, being flung back across the road.

When interviewed by police a few days later, Mr Anderson said he consumed 12 beers during the night leading up to the incident and he decided to drive home as his parents were away and he didn’t want to leave his brother home alone.

Mr Anderson works as a trainee manager at McDonald’s.

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