Andrew Davis charged with drink driving in Hurstville

A drink driver who collided with another vehicle near a Sydney primary school during the afternoon pick-up has been lambasted by a magistrate in court.

A man has been charged with drink driving near a Sydney primary school during the afternoon pick-up period. Picture: Google Maps

A drink driver who was so intoxicated he could not speak collided with another car near a Sydney primary school during the busy afternoon pick-up period.

Andrew Davis, 29, narrowly avoided full-time imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving near St Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Hurstville in July.

Agreed police facts tendered to the court reveal Davis was more than twice the limit when he rolled backwards on Croydon Rd into a local father’s vehicle as he drove to pick up his children at 3.20pm on July 23.

When police arrived at the scene the court heard Davis was still mostly unable or unwilling to speak.

“The accused was conscious but appeared to be unable to speak or communicate with police,” police facts stated.

“Police removed the keys from the ignition and seized it as the accused attempted to start his vehicle.”

Croydon Rd near St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Primary School in Hurstville. Picture: Google Maps

Officers observed the Bexley man appeared “heavily intoxicated” with bloodshot eyes and was “unsteady on his feet” as he leaned against a nearby fence in order to stand up.

A subsequent breath analysis returned a blood-alcohol level of 0.129.

At Sutherland Local Court, Magistrate Sharon Freund convicted Davis and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment to be served in the community as an intensive corrections order.

He was also disqualified from driving for three months and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service.

“If you even remember at all, you weren’t even in a state to have a conversation and get out of the car, let alone operate the car,” Ms Freund told Davis.

“You’re 29, you’ve got the support and love of your family – I commend you for admitting you’ve got a problem with alcohol but what you did puts every other road user at risk.”

The court heard Davis had also been convicted and fined $600 at Waverley Local Court in December 2014 for high range drink driving.

“You getting behind the wheel is nothing but selfish,” Ms Freund said.

“There were kids coming out of school – you are so lucky you did not injure or even kill somebody.”

Davis will also be subject to an interlock licence for 12 months after his driving disqualification concludes.