Mark John Wynter pleads guilty to Old Bar drink driving at Taree court
A man was so drunk he couldn’t drive his car in a straight line and had to hold onto it for balance after being picked up by police, a court heard. He has now been sentenced.
Mid-North Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Mid-North Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A man was so drunk he couldn’t drive his car in a straight line and had to hold onto it for balance after being picked up by police, it was heard in Taree Local Court.
When breath tested Mark John Wynter from Old Bar blew 0.218 – more than four times the legal limit.
It’s the third time the 51-year-old has been before the court for drink driving, prompting Magistrate Allison Hawkins to questions the references before her claiming the recent incident was out of character.
Wynter was behind the wheel of a Suzuki Baleno about 1am on March 9 driving along Clerke Street at Old Bar when officers observed that he was not able to “maintain a straight line”.
Police activated their lights and pulled him over, but when he got out of the car he had to hold onto it for balance, and told officers “I’ve had a bit to drink”.
He admitted to having 12 schooners of XXXX Gold in the 12 hours prior to being picked up by police.
On Tuesday, his lawyer told the court that Wynter had missed the courtesy bus where he had been drinking and that since the incident his client had abstained from alcohol.
After the instant disqualification of his licence, the concreter lost his job but has since found work within the same industry.
He gets up at 4am to get to work every day, riding his bike or getting lifts from friends, the court heard.
During sentencing Ms Hawkins said he had “no good reason” to be driving that day, other than his own convenience while posing a danger to himself and the community behind the wheel of what could be a “deadly weapon” in such a context.
He was given a 12 month intensive corrections order, disqualified from driving for nine months and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service work.
Got a news tip? Email: janine.watson@news.com.au
Bradman Cup: Team previews and players to watch
Country NSW has produced some of the best cricketers to play the game. Ahead of this year’s Bradman Cup, we’re putting the spotlight on the best young talent from the bush.
Police allege drugs, guns, ammo linked to crime group
A man in his 60s has faced a Mid-North Coast court on a long list of drug and gun charges. Police allege they found an illicit haul linked to a criminal group.