Hotel employee busted for medium range DUI after driving home from work

AN NT hotel employee has lost his licence after being caught medium range drink driving after heading home from work

AN NT hotel employee has lost his licence after being caught drink driving heading home after a few “knock-off work drinks”.

John Gallagher, 41, pleaded guilty to medium range drink driving and driving without due care at Alice Springs Local Court on Wednesday.

The court heard about 9pm on November 14, 2020, Gallagher was observed reversing his car out of the staff car park at Gap View Hotel on Gap Road when he backed into another vehicle before driving off.

The collision reportedly caused minor paint damage.

The incident was observed by a liquor inspector.

About 9.55pm Territory police located the driver at his home address and arrested him for a breath analysis.

He was taken to Alice Springs Police Station and about 10.10pm he returned a positive blood alcohol content of 0.126.

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Defence lawyer John McBride said Gallagher had a few “knock-off” work drinks and was unaware he would be over the limit when he drove home.

He said Gallagher advised him that he had also had a few beers when he got home from the hotel.

Mr McBride said his client acknowledged his wrongdoing and advised he had had a stressful week at work before the incident.

The court heard he was a great employee with an extensive employment history in the hospitality industry, including being the recipient of an industry award in the past.

In sentencing, Judge Meredith Huntingford said it was a “very common situation where someone doesn’t realise how much they’ve had to drink”.

“In your employment I’m sure you are aware how that can happen.”

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Judge Huntingford said he acknowledged Gallagher was “highly regarded in an employment sense”.

The court heard it was his first court appearance on charges related to this matter.

He was convicted of both offences and fined $1100 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.