Man caught drink-driving for sixth time jailed but walks free on bail after appealing
A man caught drink-driving for the sixth time told police he downed six schooners of full-strength beer at a nearby pub has been jailed for three months. But he walked free from a Frankston court after immediately appealing his sentence.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A magistrate has bounced out an unrepentant drink-driver, jailing him for being drunk behind the wheel for the sixth time.
But Paul Francis was minutes later given not out and walked free on bail after appealing.
He will now have to face up to the County Court to plead to have his three-month stint overturned.
WOLF CREEK MOVIE MAN'S DRINK DRIVE SHAME
CRICKETER BLOWS 0.111 ARVO AFTER PARTY
TIRED TAXI DRIVER BASHED WOMAN TWICE
It’s also stumps for his licence for a while, as he was banned from the road for five more years.
The 54-year-old father of four pleaded guilty to unlicensed and drink-driving at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
The court heard Francis’ car was seen by police near the Baxter Tavern at 8pm on September 11 last year.
He was pulled over and breath-tested, recording a reading of .146.
Francis didn’t have a licence because he had lost it in February 2014 and not applied a new one.
He told officers he had downed eight schooners of full strength beer at the nearby pub, and his car was impounded.
The court heard he had five drink-driving priors dating back more than three decades.
His defence lawyer said the electrical business owner had issues with alcohol which he was now addressing.
He said he wanted to resolve his booze problem and vowed not to repeat this “stupid and reckless” decision to get behind the wheel while drunk.
But magistrate Ross Betts said it was too little, too late.
“He’s had a problem with alcohol since 1984 and hadn’t taken any steps to deal with it,” Mr Betts said.
“This is extremely serious, and I fear he will continue to reoffend.”
He jailed Francis for three months and disqualified his licence for five years.
Francis soon after appealed the sentence and was released on bail, on condition he doesn’t drive, to appear at the County Court at a later date.