Ryan Rutherford pleads guilty at Coffs court to high-range drink driving

A Grafton tradie pulled over high-range drink driving on the Pacific Highway was already on a court order for repeat drug driving. Here’s how it panned out for him.

Ryan Rutherford was busted high-range drink driving after downing bourbons.

A Grafton tradesman busted high-range drink driving was already on a court order for repeat drug driving.

Ryan Rutherford was behind the wheel of his Falcon ute when police pulled him over on the Pacific Highway at Korora, Coffs Harbour.

It was just before 1am on August 5, and Rutherford, 23, told officers he had a drink at The Coast Hotel 30 minutes earlier.

Police facts state the South Grafton man appeared “well affected” by alcohol.

“His speech was slurred, his breath smelled of intoxicating liquor and his balance was noticeably affected,” police state in court documents.

Rutherford was on a conditional release order for drug driving when he was pulled over. File image.

A roadside breath test proved positive and Rutherford was taken to Coffs Harbour Police Station where he blew 0.161 - more than three times the legal limit.

At the station, he told officers he had downed eight cans of Wild Turkey bourbon between 4pm the day before and 12.20am - and had not eaten.

Rutherford was self-represented when he pleaded guilty at Coffs Harbour Local Court on Wednesday to driving with high range PCA - second offence.

The court heard Rutherford was on a conditional release order for driving a vehicle with an illicit drug present in his blood - second offence at the time of offending.

The court heard he had completed the Traffic Offenders Program.

Magistrate Julia Virgo adjourned for sentencing on November 7.

Originally published as Ryan Rutherford pleads guilty at Coffs court to high-range drink driving