Hillsdale man Phillip Timu sentenced for high-range drink-driving

An eastern suburbs local has been sentenced for high-range drink driving after downing a handful of Peronis and hitting the road. Here’s what happened in court.

Phillip Timu outside Waverley Local Court on Wednesday. Picture: Tileah Dobson

Bystanders were left startled as they witnessed a drink-driver under the influence of a handful of Peronis ram into a crash barrier in Surry Hills.

Phillip Timu, 46, faced Waverley Local Court on Wednesday, when he was sentenced after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving.

Documents tendered in court state police stopped the Hillsdale man about 9.15am on July 16, shortly after he wrapped up a three-hour early morning drinking session.

The documents state Timu downed five Peroni schooners between 5am and 8.30am at Sydney’s Cheers Bar and Grill, with the offender only eating some chips and peanuts.

Police received calls from concerned members of the public after Timu was seen colliding with a crash barrier in Surry Hills.

Drink-driver Phillip Timu. Picture: Tileah Dobson

Documents state officers pulled Timu over in his Toyota HiLux at Matraville, where he blew over the limit on a roadside breath test.

Timu was arrested and taken to the Maroubra Police Station, where a subsequent test recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.198 – nearly four times over the legal limit.

In court on Wednesday, Timu acknowledged he knew he “did the wrong thing here”.

Magistrate Michael Barko accepted his remorse, pointing out the maximum penalty was a 18-month prison sentence and a fine of up to $3300.

“I won’t send you to jail today, but keep this in mind,” Mr Barko said.

The magistrate knocked twice on the bench and said: “You’re lucky someone wasn’t hurt because you would be facing four or five years in jail.”

Timu was fined $550 and suspended from driving for seven months.

When he returns to driving, he will require an interlock device for 24 months.