Matthew Hoskins: Kempsey man drank all night before crashing, putting children’s lives at risk

A 30-year-old man registered a blood alcohol reading four times the legal limit after crashing his car with a child, 9, inside.

Kempsey Courthouse

A man who drank for 14 hours before crashing his car at a Kempsey service station and putting four children’s lives at risk has pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving in court.

Matthew Hoskins, 30, appeared briefly at Kempsey Local Court before Magistrate David O’Neill on Monday following an incident on January 17 at the Shell Service Station on Smith St, Kempsey.

Court documents show Hoskins started drinking at the Wauchope RSL at about 7pm the night before, and consumed his last drink — a long neck — about 9am the next morning, half an hour before crashing his car in an apparent jump start attempt while at the service station.

Matthew Hoskins outside Kempsey Local Court on Monday

The vehicle he was driving, a Nissan Pulsar, was caught on CCTV making a sharp left hand turn into the service station before he exited the vehicle and entered the store.

On his return, the same CCTV footage shows the man attempting to push-start the car before it collides into another vehicle exiting the service station that had three children inside.

A nine-year-old boy was inside the Pulsar at the time of the accident.

When both drivers began exchanging personal details following the crash, the victim noticed Hoskins was visibly affected by alcohol due to his slurred speech, the colour of his eyes and unsteady balance.

Police were called and Hoskins was arrested and transported to Kempsey police station, while arrangements were made to safely transport the boy to Kempsey Police Station and into the care of his family.

Matthew Hoskins appeared at Kempsey Courthouse

While apprehended, police submitted the offender to a breath analysis where he returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.202.

He has pleaded guilty to charges of high range drink driving and driving while suspended.

“In regards to drinking, the accused advised police that he had ‘lots’ to drink throughout the night,” court documents state.

“He started drinking at the Wauchope RSL at about 7pm and he had his last drink at about 9am in the morning.

“Besides some nibbles, no food was eaten while he was drinking.”

Police enquiries conducted through NSW Roads and Maritime Services also indicate that he was a holder of a class C P-plate license, which was suspended in November last year due to defaults on fine repayments.

Magistrate O’Neill offered Hoskins the opportunity to undertake the MERIT Program, which provides the opportunity for adult defendants with substance abuse problems to work, on a voluntary basis, towards rehabilitation.

He will return to Kempsey Local Court for sentencing on March 1.