Jay Newton: Albury P-plater leaps over fences to escape breath test

An Albury P-plater hightailed it from police, leaving his mates in his car, after a big day of drinking.

An Albury P-plater has jumped over fences to avoid police conducting a random breath test.

An Albury P-plater leapt over fences and ran through backyards trying to escape a random breath test.

Jay Newtown, 20, appeared before Albury Local Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to high range drink driving, driving while license suspended, possessing a prohibited drug, entering enclosed land without permission, and resisting arrest.

Court documents reveal Newton, who works for O’Brien Transport as a forklift driver, was pulled over by police on Regina Ave in North Albury just after midnight on January 27.

When police tried to speak to Newton he exited the blue Mazda he was driving and ran south along Bunton St, jumping over fences into residents’ backyards.

Newton had three passengers in the car who he left behind.

Police where later called to a Bunton St home where the occupants had found Newton at their backdoor, repeating, “I don’t have a weapon”.

Newton was arrested and searched by police who found 0.08g of cocaine in his front shirt pocket.

The offender had a large laceration on his knee and was taken to Albury Base Hospital where a blood sample was taken, recording a blood-alcohol level of 0.167.

Newton’s defence solicitor Samantha Little said her client was very remorseful for his actions, and that his offending had happened on the back of a large amount of booze consumed on Australia Day.

“He’s a member of the Albury Cricket Club, lives with mother and father who are very supportive of him,” Ms Little said.

“He’s never been to court before.

“He is remorseful. He has sold his car and will use the funds to pay any fines he may incur.”

Ms Little said Newton was being treated for anxiety.

The prosecution stated Newton’s driver’s licence was suspended until January 28, 2021, due to a low-range drink driving offence from 2020.

Magistrate Richard Funston said Newton’s behaviour was “extremely dangerous” and he “could have killed somebody”.

“It was really foolish,” Mr Funston said.

“The worst thing is you had three passengers in the car with that level of alcohol.

“It’s not like you’re an experienced driver.”

Newton was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, with the condition he participate in drug and alcohol counselling.

“Two alcohol related offences on your record tells me there’s a problem,” Mr Funston said.

Newton was disqualified from driving for six months, with an interlock for 24 months, and fined $1500.

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