Robert Rowlands: Taree man to learn fate on seventh high-range drink driving charge

A Mid-North Coast man is set to learn his fate after pleading guilty to his seventh drink-driving charge. See the magistrate’s scolding here.

A Mid-North Coast man has pleaded guilty to his seventh high-range drink driving charge — as magistrate Allison Hawkins threatened prison time telling him it was “not normal for someone to appear before the court this many times for the same offence”.

Robert Rowland, 53, pleaded guilty after blowing almost four times the legal limit when he was pulled over by Taree police on Manning River Dr on January 25.

Police stopped his silver Great Wall ute after noticing Rowlands indicating right on a roundabout but going straight, swerving in his lane, and going 40km/h in a 70km/h zone.

According to police, strong alcohol could be smelt coming from the ute, Rowland’s speech was slurred, his eyes bloodshot, and the driver appeared to be in a ‘sleepy state’.

Officers asked Rowland to submit a breath test, to which he refused multiple times.

Police placed the man under arrest and, while waiting for a caged vehicle to transport Rowlands, the officers noticed he “was very unsteady on his feet”, before asking if he could sit down.

In the opinion of police, Rowlands was “seriously affected by alcohol”.

While waiting for the police vehicle, Rowlands changed his mind and took the breath test.

It returned a positive result, with a subsequent test at the police station showing a reading of 0.197.

Rowlands appeared at Taree Courthouse on Tuesday.

Rowlands admitted to drinking an unknown quantity of beer between 10am and 8pm that day at a friend’s house in Old Bar, the agreed facts state.

The man’s lawyer, Stephen Ryan, told the court his client didn’t intend on driving that night.

He explained Rowlands was originally supposed to stay in Old Bar after working there that day, but realised he’d left some medication at home and got behind the wheel to retrieve it from his Taree home.

Mr Ryan went on to explain that, despite Rowlands’ poor record, it had been 12 years since his last offence.

The defence told the court this is “a particularly low point in his life” and that Rowlands “is deeply ashamed of the way he behaved in front of police”.

Ms Hawkins responded with little sympathy, saying Rowlands put himself and others in danger when he decided to drive that night.

“No one really cares if you’re having a bad time if your decision kills someone,” the magistrate reasoned.

“In my view, this is a matter that attracts a full time jail sentence.”

The matter was adjourned so Taree Community Corrections can assess whether or not home detention would be suitable for Rowlands.