Royal National Park drink driver caught 12 hours after final drink
A Sydney man has wound up with a three-month hangover after he was caught mid-range drink driving a full 12 hours after his last beer during a big night out. A magistrate said the community simply does not realise how long alcohol can stay in the system.
A Sydney man has wound up with a three-month hangover after he was caught mid-range drink driving a full 12 hours after his last beer during a big night out.
Magistrate Les Mabbutt said the community frequently did not realise how long alcohol can stay in the system after Jack Cowling, 30, pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving on Sir Bertram Stevens Dr in the Royal National Park on March 30.
“The accused was subjected to a random breath test, which returned a positive reading,” the agreed police facts stated.
“The accused stated he consumed possibly 10 Indian pale ale beers, with his first drink at 4pm on March 29 and his last at 1am on March 30.”
Cowling was convicted at Sutherland Local Court, fined $800, disqualified from driving until June 29 and subjected to an interlock licence for 12 months from that date.
Cowling’s solicitor Julianne Lim told the court Cowling had waited 12 hours after a workmate’s farewell at a local pub, leaving his car at the venue, eating breakfast and walking his dog before driving off to see a sick relative.
Ms Lim said the St Peters man had made every effort not to fall foul of the law before he stopped and ultimately returned a reading of 0.081.
“I accept that you did not take the risk to drive home that night for your convenience,” Mr Mabbutt said.
“But when you’ve got a reading like this at 1pm, you’re clearly drinking far too much.
“Even if you don’t feel it your ability to react can result in people being killed and injured.”
Cowling’s solicitor told the court he worked full-time six days a week as a technical commissioning quality manager.
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