Mark Keith Pullman charged over drink driving offences

Despite a clean driving record spanning decades, a Mildura footy coach has lost his licence after he was caught driving after after-work drinks.

Mark Pullman has lost his licence after driving at 0.072 BAC.

A few drinks after work have cost a Mildura grandad his license, despite more than 43 years of safe driving without a blemish on his record.

Mark Keith Pullman, 61, was pulled over by police for a breath test when he blew 0.072 BAC.

The legal blood alcohol content is 0.05 BAC and a loss of licence is automatic.

After being breath tested, Pullman told police he had had four glasses of Great Northern beer.

In court, the 61-year-old sought to fight the automatic six month licence suspension because it would affect his work as the only sales representative for a small company which takes him all over the nation.

However, his lawyer Anne Hennessy informed him the six-month licence suspension was mandatory and he changed his plea to guilty.

Mildura Law Courts. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The impact is going to be enormous, your Honour, the reason he filed the notice of object was he hadn’t had legal advice and he hoped there was some discretion. Unfortunately, there is no discretion and he has to lose his license,” Ms Hennessy said.

Magistrate Patrick Southey agreed with Ms Hennessy.

“It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been driving with a flawless record for, how much you need to your license, or how highly your references speak of you, there is no discretion,” he said.

Ms Hennessy made further submissions to the court that Pullman had been valuable member of the community for decades and had “done all the right things”.

“He’s 61 years of age, raised four adult children and is now a grandfather, impeccable record, coached football and basketball, done all the right things,” she said.

Pullman was given a 12-month good behavior bond without conviction and taken off the road for the next six months.

The law states anyone caught drink driving must also have an alcohol interlock device fitted to their car.