Beekeeping lawyer Andrew Lloyd faces court after two drink driving charges in a two month period
He’s used to defending other people in court, but now a Sydney lawyer has had to defend himself from two drink driving charges, one of which saw his kids injured when his car flipped.
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He’s used to defending other people in court, but on Friday a Sydney lawyer had to defend himself.
Beekeeping lawyer Andrew Robert Lloyd, 48, of Glebe, was in Toronto Local Court on Friday to defend not just one, but two drink-driving charges which he pleaded guilty to, one of which saw his two kids injured when his car flipped.
In September last year, Mr Lloyd was nearly three times the legal limit when he flipped his Toyota Hilux on its roof along Alison Rd near Dungog, after he lost control and travelled up an embankment.
His children were in the car and suffered minor injuries.
Mr Lloyd sprung to fame as a saviour of citysiders near Downing Centre Court when a swarm of bees was causing havoc in Sydney’s CBD in October.
At the time witnesses said bees filled the air and the swarm could be seen up to two blocks away.
Mr Lloyd — a solicitor and amateur beekeeper — rushed home from the court to his home to pick up a cardboard legal document box, his bee veil and some gloves.
On returning to the swarm, he used a ladder and a stool from a nearby cafe to reach the tree, cut off the branch and gathered the bees into the box as onlookers recorded him on their phones.
But on Friday it was a very different scenario.
The court heard Mr Lloyd was at his father’s property in Dungog when he started drinking with friends, and after realising he had no food for the children, he headed out before crashing his vehicle.
Court documents stated Mr Lloyd told police he had hit a bump in the road causing the vehicle to flip but admitted to consuming alcohol prior. A breath test recorded him at 0.131.
It was just two months later Mr Lloyd was in hot water again when he was charged for high-range drink-driving while on his way back from Dungog to Sydney.
On November 22, Mr Lloyd — who was “worried he was going to kill himself” – pulled over to the side of the road on his Honda trail bike on the M1 Motorway at Morisset.
Police noticed he had suddenly stopped and when they went over to talk to him, he smelt strongly of liquor, was slurring his words and was unsteady on his feat.
After returning a positive reading of 0.187, he told police he had gone to Dan Murphy’s at Raymond Terrace and purchased a six pack of cider and drank no less than three of them before getting back on his bike to ride home.
And to make matters worse, Mr Lloyd was caught driving while his license was suspended in January.
The court heard he panicked after he thought he would miss his appointment with his psychologist and claimed there were no taxis available at the time.
Lloyd’s lawyer, David Dalton — a friend and colleague — told the court this very “accomplished” man had a crisis in his life and had a clear problem with alcohol which he has now dealt with.
“Since 2015, he has been abstinent before he had these lapses,” he said.
“A major depressive illness in mid-2019 has also prompted his behavior.
“He is horrified by the first incidence with his children in the Hilux.
“His career is at risk, relationship with those he loves is at risk, as is his health and his liberty.”
Mr Dalton detailed Mr Lloyd’s love for his children and also his community, where he was instrumental in working with children with disabilities.
Magistrate Ron Maiden acknowledged Mr Lloyd was a prominent member of the community but said the facts made the matters extremely serious, stating a custodial sentence was inevitable.
“The adjustment to driving penalties has been significant by the current government in NSW,” Magistrate Maiden said.
“But it’s an appropriate case where the offender can serve a sentence in the community.”
For his high-range drink driving matter, Mr Lloyd was sentenced to a nine month intensive corrections order (ICO), nine month driving disqualification, 75 hours of community service, ordered to pay a $2000 fine and have interlock for a period of 24 months.
He received a two year community corrections order (CCO), four month driving disqualification, 150 hours of community service and a $1000 fine for his mid range drink driving charge.
While the drive while suspended matter, Mr Lloyd was given a $750 fine and six month driving disqualification.