Drink-driver nabbed in a Hastings hotel car park was on way to get more booze when he blew .243
A man with a history of alcoholism and a brain injury from heavy drinking has blown a whopping figure after being caught on his way to Hastings’ Kings Creek Hotel.
South East
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A five-times-over the limit drunk-driver caught by cops in a hotel carpark on his way to buy more booze has been given a good behaviour bond.
Kevin Mills, who has an acquired brain injury through years of alcohol abuse, was also driving an unregistered car.
Police are so concerned for the community’s safety they will ask VicRoads to order him to undergo a medical review before he is even considered to be allowed back on the road.
The Hastings disability pensioner pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving an unregistered car at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The court heard a police patrol watched as he drove his car, which was flagged on their system as having an expired rego, into the Kings Creek Hotel carpark in Hastings about 9pm on November 8 last year.
When they went for a chat officers smelt alcohol on his breath and he was taken back to the police station, where he recorded .243.
His car was impounded and he lost his licence on the spot.
Mills told police he knew the car’s registration had ended and he had gone to the hotel “to get another drink”.
In court his defence lawyer said he is having intensive medical support and he knew continued alcohol use would make his health deteriorate further.
She said his car was still in the impound yard and he has “acceptance he won’t be driving again”.
He has a very dated criminal history, with his last offence dating back to 1988 when he spent 18 months in jail for causing a serious car crash and leaving the scene.
Magistrate Timothy Gattuso said it was worrying that Mills was still using alcohol even though it had caused his brain injury.
“You’ve got to make changes, it’s about your health,” Mr Gattuso said.
“A reading of this level is very concerning.
“It is not acceptable to get in a vehicle with that sort of reading.”
He said Mills had already been to jail and another offence could mean he’s back behind bars.
“It’s lucky you were caught in the carpark,” he said
“Tragedies happen because people (who are that drunk) are unable to react.
“The risk you represented was huge, you need to think about what could have happened.”
Mr Gattuso said a community corrections order wouldn’t be appropriate due to his inability to comply and he had no financial means to pay any fine.
Mills was convicted and placed on a two-year good behaviour bond with conditions he must continue medical treatment.
He was also disqualified from driving for two years, backdated to November.
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