Laura Watson sentenced for refusing breath test

A Corrective Services NSW employee repeatedly refused to do a breath test until her mum was present, with police having to repeatedly remind her she was 33 years old.

Corrective Services NSW employee Laura Watson leaving Newtown Local Court in May 2023 after she was sentenced for refusing a breath test.

A Corrective Services NSW employee who refused to do a breath analysis unless her mother was present after she was pulled over by police has been dealt harsh consequences for her actions in court.

Laura Watson, 33, was charged with refusing or failing to submit to a breath analysis after police pulled her over in Enmore late on March 16.

Police documents tendered to Newtown Local Court on Tuesday reveal police stopped Watson for mobile testing around 10.15pm.

“Police approached the driver’s side window and immediately observed a strong smell of intoxicating liquor to emanate from the vehicle,” police state.

“The accused’s eyes were glassy and bloodshot and she slurred her words heavily.”

A roadside breath test returned a positive result – and that was just the start of a protracted struggle between police and Watson over a follow up breath analysis.

“The accused stated ‘I need to call my mum’ and police attempted to contact the accused’s mother with no answer,” police state.

“The accused stated ‘I’m not doing it until I have my mum here’ (and) police explained numerous times to the accused she is not entitled to have her mother there while she provides a breath analysis.

“Police reminded the accused numerous times that she is 33 years of age, a holder of a driver’s licence, and that she is required under legislation to provide a sample of her breath – the accused repeatedly stated I’m not going to do the test until I know what I’m allowed to do.”

Watson was also offered the opportunity to undergo a blood test, before she “became hysterical” and lost “emotional control”.

At court on May 23, Watson pleaded guilty to the offence.

Corrective Services NSW employee Laura Watson leaving Newtown Local Court in May 2023 after she was sentenced for refusing a breath test.

The court heard she was an administrative assistant at Corrective Services NSW and had been abstinent from alcohol for four months prior to the night in question before she drank again.

Her solicitor told the court a supervisor at Corrective Services NSW submitted a reference in which they characterised the incident as a “lapse in common sense”.

Magistrate Lisa Stapleton took a dim view of Watson’s mother’s letter to the court, in which she expressed concern that her daughter had been escorted to the station by four male police officers.

“It’s not social services, it’s a criminal justice system,” Ms Stapleton said.

“Citizens should pay more attention to their responsibilities and obligations and not think that complaining about the way police do their duties ameliorates the criminal offences committed by individuals.”

Ms Stapleton accepted Watson was having a mental health crisis on the night in question after the court heard she was “humiliated” by her actions, especially given her employment and the fact her brother is a police officer.

The court had also heard Watson was issued a good behaviour bond without conviction in 2016 for special range drink-driving.

“This type of offence is about the risk to the community posed by the person who has a positive breath test and where, as a result of their decision to refuse a breath analysis, police are unable to determine how much alcohol was on board at the time,” Ms Stapleton said.

Ms Stapleton convicted Watson and sentenced her to a 12-month community correction order with a six-month driving disqualification and a two-year interlock licence.

Watson’s mother attended court to support her.