Adam Hasan: drink driving charge for Darlinghurst man, hit with $3000 fine

A shocked Sydney man caught drink-driving at more than three times the legal limit has copped a huge fine from a magistrate for his offending. Find out his punishment.

A Sydney man caught drink-driving at more than three times the legal limit has copped a massive fine which almost met the maximum penalty.

Adam Hasan, 37, was charged with high-range drink-driving on William St in Darlinghurst on May 9 after he was stopped for a random breath test.

Agreed police facts tendered to Downing Centre Local Court reveal Hasan blew 0.185 – more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit.

The documents state Hasan told police he had consumed four to five glasses of wine between 12pm and 8pm that day.

“(In the opinion of police) he was well affected due to alcohol consumption, he was unsteady on his feet and slurred his words,” police facts state.

“He told police he is an alcoholic.”

Adam Hasan is seen leaving the Downing Centre Court in Sydney after pleading guilty to high range drink driving in Darlinghurst in May 2022. Picture NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

At court Magistrate Julia Virgo acknowledged Hasan had taken proactive and deliberate steps to begin addressing his alcohol issues even before his brush with the law landed him in court.

“I accept these is a strong sense of shame, and this high reading is a cause for concern,” Ms Virgo said.

“I accept you have taken steps to address your issues, and I take into account your strong and genuine expression of remorse.”

Ms Virgo opted to give the Darlinghurst man the greatest possible leniency with respect to his license, granting the six-month minimum disqualification period.

Hasan was also hit with a staggering fine for his offending. Picture NCA Newswire/Gaye Gerard

However, the magistrate also hit him with a $3000 fine – just short of the $3300 maximum, causing a ripple of shock throughout the courtroom.

Hasan’s lawyer hastily made submissions about his client’s ability to pay a fine on top of his usual expenses, including mortgage repayments on an investment property and rent – but Ms Virgo was unmoved and the fine stood.

“The courts are obliged to reflect some general deterrence because of the great harm that can arise from drink driving,” Ms Virgo concluded.