Kirt John Behan: Drunk driver downed a bottle of scotch before Boxing Day bust

A drunk driver who downed nearly a bottle of rum said he was checking his mates got home safely after he was busted talking on the phone in Melton.

A drunk driver who had downed nearly a whole bottle of rum told police he was using his phone while behind the wheel of his car to make sure his mates got home safely.

Kirt John Behan, 41, on Thursday pleaded guilty to drink driving and using a mobile phone while driving.

The Sunshine Magistrates Court heard Behan was pulled over in Melton on Boxing Day 2019 when police officers spotted him using his phone.

He blew over the limit on a roadside breath test, and later recorded a reading of 0.216, more than four times the limit.

His gold Lexus wagon was impounded for a month, and his license was suspended on the spot for 21 months.

Behan told the officers he had drunk “nearly a bottle of scotch and red wine”.

“I didn’t realise I would be over,” he told police.

Kirt Behan, pictured holding a snapper.

Asked about the mobile phone, he said it was “not something I would do”, and that he was making sure people got home safely.

Court delays meant Behan has nearly served his mandatory 21 month license suspension, and will be eligible to get back behind the wheel in late September.

Behan’s barrister, Stephanie Wallace, said the case was a “one off on a bad day … and ultimately he has learned his lesson”.

Magistrate Alanna Duffy said Behan had not been in trouble in the 18 months since the “quite unfortunate” Boxing Day incident.

Without conviction, she fined him $800.