David Spina caught towing passenger-filled boat in Bendalong while drunk
Police stopped a 60-year-old drunk driver north of Ulladulla after pulling him over due to three unrestrained people in a boat he was towing.
The South Coast News
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A man has seen his Christmas vacation end in court after he was caught driving over the limit while towing a passenger-filled boat.
David Spina, 60, from Port Kembla, faced Milton Local Court on Thursday on charges of mid range drink driving and driving with unrestrained passengers 16 years or older.
Representing himself, Spina pleaded guilty to the charges and apologised for his actions.
However, Magistrate Lisa Viney told Spina to hold off on an apology until she read the facts.
Court documents stated Spina was holidaying on the south coast and spent the morning of December 27, 2022, drinking six beers and fishing.
Once the fishing trip finished, Spina hooked his boat up to his car before driving away; three passengers willingly remained in the boat.
Driving down Bendalong Road, highway patrol pulled Spina over when they saw the unrestrained passengers.
Spina was given a breath test, which returned a .088 reading and the passengers were removed. He was then given a three month licence suspension and a court attendance notice.
“You were drink driving, you were towing a boat and there were people in the boat,” Magistrate Viney said.
Spina apologised again, stating his actions had been a hindrance to his family.
“I want to specifically apologise to my wife, who has been having to drive me around everywhere,” he said.
“I was not driving far with the boat, but that is no excuse.”
Magistrate Viney agreed with Spina.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re driving a long range or a short range,” she said.
“It is still drink driving.”
While Magistrate Viney recognised Spina had no criminal history, she said drink-driving charges are ones which can be easily avoided.
“Having six drinks is quite a number to have before driving,” she said.
“If you’re going to drive, have one or have none.”
Spina was fined $650, suspended from driving for three months, and given a 12-month interlock order for the mid range drink driving.
He was also fined $650 for the unrestrained passengers charge.
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