Police officer Penelope ‘Penny’ Andrew in Taree court for mid-range drink driving
A police officer of 34 years service who pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving told a Taree court everything “happens for a reason”.
Mid-North Coast
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A female police officer caught drink driving in Taree has escaped conviction but told the court everything “happens for a reason” and that she is pursuing recovery.
Penelope (Penny) Susanne Andrew pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving on the evening of February 23 and appeared in Taree Local Court for sentencing on April 26.
Magistrate Brennan said: “I hope you get into the recovery program … recovery is the best option, simply cutting down doesn’t work for everyone.”
The 53-year-old was picked up in a random roadside test while travelling south on Manning River Dr around 7.24pm and there were no passengers in the car with her at the time.
Andrew has worked in the Taree area and is currently stationed at Tamworth.
Her lawyer described her as a “highly decorated” officer of 34 years service and said the offending occurred in the context of the breakdown of a long-term relationship.
Andrew blew 0.101, placing her in the middle of the mid-range, and according to police facts tendered to the court, she appeared “slightly affected by alcohol”.
Andrew admitted to drinking one can of Hahn SuperDry beer and wine between 5am and 4pm on February 23 and slept during that time, but had not eaten anything.
She said her reason for driving was to “go home” – Andrew lives in the Old Bar area.
Her lawyer presented statistics in relation to sentences handed down for first time mid-range drink drivers, showing about 30 per cent are given conditional release orders and no conviction recorded.
The only prior matters on Andrew’s record were two speeding matters in 2010 and 2019 (not in excess of 10kmh over the speed limit).
Andrew was given a 12-month conditional release order and no conviction was recorded.
No court order was made in relation to her licence.
Andrew’s employment status remains under review, according to the NSW Police.
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