Coffs Harbour: Peter Crawford sentenced after boozy break-up bender crash

A Mid-North Coast man, drunk and unlicensed, has been sentenced after a break-up bender saw him smash his Toyota Prado into a power pole, landing him in hospital with massive bills.

Repeat offender Peter Crawford was sentenced on Wednesday July 23.

A Coffs Coast man, drunk and unlicensed, has been sentenced after a break-up bender saw him smash his Toyota Prado into a power pole, landing him in hospital and with massive bills.

Peter Crawford, 34, was charged with high range drink driving while suspended after he smashed his car into a power pole, following a break-up, on Coramba Road Coffs Harbour on January 2 2025.

Court documents revealed Crawford blew a high range blood alcohol level of .202.

Habitual offender Peter Crawford leaves Coffs Harbour court on Wednesday 23 July.

Defence solicitor Carlo Bianchino told Coffs Harbour local court his client was faced with two massive bills — $12,000 to Central Energy for the power pole and the cost of replacing his $25,000 silver Prado.

Mr Bianchino told the court Crawford had taken the accident as an opportunity to address his alcohol issues.

In an effort to mitigate the sentence Mr Bianchino tendered two reports to the court — a traffic offenders program completion report and a Magistrate’s Early Referral into Treatment (MERIT).

Mr Bianchino said his client had reduced his drinking from 10-20 drinks per day down to “much fewer than that”.

Crawford faced court after crashed and rolled his car after hitting a power pole with a high range PCA while suspended.

In sentencing, Magistrate Theresa Hamilton noted Crawford had a history of similar offending including being disqualified.

She warned him that had he not taken the steps to resolve his alcohol abuse she would be considering imprisonment.

Ms Hamilton noted Crawford’s earlier plea of guilty as he faced court on Wednesday supported by his mother and sister.

Crawford was convicted of high range drink driving and drive while suspended.

He was sentenced an aggregate 12 months imprisonment to be served by an intensive correction order expiring on July 22 next year.

Crawford is disqualified from driving for 12 months and when he gets his licence back he must have an interlock device in his vehicle for two years.

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Originally published as Coffs Harbour: Peter Crawford sentenced after boozy break-up bender crash