James Daly, who drove while seven times over the limit, narrowly avoids jail time
A northern beaches nurse, who has been drinking since he was 11 years old, has been sentenced after he was caught driving seven times over the legal limit.
Manly
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A driver who blew seven times the legal blood alcohol limit after drinking a full bottle of vodka has narrowly avoided jail.
James Edward Daly, 38, of Queenscliff was so drunk — he blew a northern beaches’ record of 0.355 — that he drove his car on the wrong side of the road nearly hitting pedestrians and other cars.
The award-winning psychiatric nurse, who has been drinking alcohol since he was 11 years old, managed to pilot his Mazda CX3 for more than six kilometres after a Friday night drinking session where he gulped down a 700ml bottle of vodka.
A member of the public grabbed Daly’s car keys after he came to a stop on busy South Creek Rd, Dee Why on August 7.
Manly Local Court heard on Friday that Daly has had a drinking problem since childhood and has underlying mental health issues.
His solicitor Ian Byrne said that Daly, who has pregnant fiancee, had not had a drink since his arrest.
“This is his longest break from alcohol since he was 11-years-old,” Mr Byrne said.
A police facts sheet tendered to court said Daly stopped and get out of his car at about 7.55pm.
A member of the public then took his keys to prevent him driving again.
Police arrived at 8.05pm and saw Daly standing by the side of the road.
“(He) was leaning against a pole to assist him standing up,” the facts sheet said.
He told police that he had drank “two to three vodka and orange drinks between 5.30pm and 7.30pm” at the Harbord Diggers club in Freshwater.
But the court was told that Daly later told Community Corrections that he actually drank a full bottle of vodka before he got behind the wheel.
Mr Byrne said Daly began drinking the day of his arrest because he was concerned about his pregnant partner being admitted to hospital.
“This is not an excuse,” Mr Byrne said. “But it was the catalyst.”
Police prosecutor Candice Chapman urged the court to jail Daly.
Sgt Chapman said he committed the offence “without any regard for public safety” and was a grave risk killing other road users”.
Daly had two previous mid-range drink driving convictions on his record — in 2008 and 2009.
Mr Byrne told the court that in 2018 Daly won a nursing award in recognition of his contribution to the Northern Sydney Local Health District Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Service.
Magistrate Michelle Goodwin also heard that Daly was a hard worker and well regarded in his profession.
Ms Goodwin sentenced Daly to 13 months jail, but that time would be served in the community as an Intensive Corrections Order.
Daly also has to complete 200 hours’ community services, not drink alcohol and was disqualified from driving for nine months.
“If you endanger the community one more time, you will not be walking out the front door of this court,” Ms Goodwin warned Daly.
“This is absolutely your last roll of the dice.”