Guy Abbott: Drunk Camden South man crashed into traffic light after leaving Wollongong nightclub

The drunken journey of a father-of-three, who drove 50km after drinking at a nightclub, ended when he fell asleep at the wheel and collided into a traffic light.

Guy Ross Abbott, 34, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday were he narrowly avoided being sent to jail for high range drink driving. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The drunken journey of a father-of-three, who drove 50km from Wollongong to Sutherland after drinking at a nightclub, ended when he collided into a traffic light.

Guy Ross Abbott, 34, was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday were he narrowly avoided being sent to jail after pleading guilty to high range drink driving.

Agreed facts tendered to court state on October 2 Abbott, who lives in Camden South, was driving a Toyota RAV4 along the Princes Hwy about 5am when he crashed into a traffic light at the intersection of Rawson Ave, Sutherland.

A witness immediately contacted police stating a driver was swerving across the lanes and travelling at a high speed before crashing.

Police arrived a short time later to find Abbott standing next to his car, which had significant damage. A large road sign affixed to the traffic light had been thrown about 10m.

Guy Abbott was sentenced in Sutherland Local Court.

Abbott said he had fallen asleep with police officers observing he was unsteady on his feet and smelt strongly of liquor before he returned a positive roadside breath test.

He was taken to St George Hospital complaining of arm and abdominal pain.

A blood test sample was taken and showed a 0.159 blood alcohol reading, more than three times the legal amount.

The court heard Abbott has three children and used to own his business but during the pandemic came under significant financial and relationship stress with his ex-partner living under the same roof.

Abbott’s lawyer Robert McKeown said the night before the incident his client went to stay in a Wollongong hotel as a “break” before he and a mate went drinking at a nightclub.

Mr McKeown said Abbott returned to the hotel via Uber but then got in his car and made the “poor decision” to drive, adding he had little memory of the crash.

Mr McKeown said Abbott was remorseful and embarrassed by his actions and recognised the risk he put members of the public.

The court heard Abbott had since been to see a psychologist and now had an ongoing treatment plan.

Mr McKeown said he was working as an acting state manager for an audio visual installation company and was worried he would lose his job if he lost his licence.

Magistrate Philip Stewart said Abbott had a poor traffic record which included speeding, mobile phone use and other offences.

He noted Abbott had taken positive steps by cutting out alcohol and had sought psychological counselling.

Mr Stewart sentenced Abbott to a 12-month intensive correction order, which is a jail sentence served in the community, fined $1500 and was ordered to continue counselling.

He was disqualified from driving for six months and must have an interlock device fitted for the two years following.