Ballarat High School teacher Troy Beggs to face court on drink driving charge
A Ballarat High School teacher was busted allegedly driving more than seven times over the legal limit — one of the highest readings ever recorded in the area.
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A Ballarat teacher was allegedly caught driving while more than seven times over the legal limit – one of the highest readings ever recorded in the area.
The Herald Sun can reveal Ballarat High School maths teacher Troy Beggs, 36, is expected to be charged after allegedly returning a positive breath test when pulled over by police on Grant St on June 1 about 2.30pm.
Police say Mr Beggs — who has been teaching maths, science and media at school since the beginning of the year — allegedly returned a result of .35 blood-alcohol level.
Mr Beggs’ licence was immediately suspended and his car impounded for $1425.
He is being summoned to appear at a magistrates’ court at a later date.
A blood alcohol concentration of more than 0.40 can lead to respiratory failure, comas and possible death, according to drug and alcohol advisory centre DACAS.
It’s understood Mr Beggs is on extended leave from the school.
It comes just months after another scandal at the school, with music teacher Damien Woods charged with 34 child sex offences spanning four years.
Mr Woods will return to court on August 24.
Mr Beggs is a Ballarat based cinematographer, specialising in the filming and editing of music videos and documentaries.
Prior to working at Ballarat High School he also taught at Phoenix P-12 College as the head of VCE Media studies.
In 2020, Mr Beggs judged the Best Tertiary Short Fiction film for the Collarts Atom Awards.
In his biography on the Collarts website it says: “Troy now turns his focus toward inspiring a new generation of students to love, appreciate and create film”.
A Department of Education spokesman said as Mr Beggs’ matter was before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.
In February, another young teacher from Old Orchard Primary School in Blackburn North, Brianna Reaney, 27, was caught more than three times over the blood alcohol limit.
Ms Reaney went on an erratic driving spree on EastLink and nearby roads in Ringwood.
She pleaded guilty to drink driving at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on February 22.
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