Jake Florussen pleads guilty to drink driving, while suspended

A former Ocean Grove man whose breath test resulted in the “highest reading” of a Magistrate’s career has been banned from driving, but will have to wait to see if he will be jailed.

Jake Florussen (centre) speaks with his lawyer outside Geelong Law Courts following Monday’s hearing.

A suspended driver who blew the “highest reading” of a magistrate’s career was lucky to only cause a near miss, a court has heard.

Jake Florussen, 32, fronted the Geelong Magistrates Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to drink-driving and driving while suspended.

Police prosecutor senior constable Laura Wood told the court on November 5 last year, police in Ocean Grove were called to Guthridge St about 7.45pm.

Florussen, driving a Hyundai, had swerved into the oncoming lane and caused a near miss with another car, the court heard.

The driver of the other thought Florussen “appeared to be heavily intoxicated”, Constable Wood said.

The man asked Florussen to get out of his car and took the keys from the ignition.

Florussen displayed slurred speech and lack of balance when police arrived, the court heard, and officers found a half-empty bottle of vodka in the driver’s side door.

He was taken to Bellarine police station for an evidentiary breath test, which recorded a BAC of 0.248 – however Florussen “did not admit to drinking”, constable Wood said.

On Monday, his lawyer, barrister Daniel Cash, told the court his client was “taking this matter very seriously”.

Mr Cash noted Florussen’s relevant priors, which included a erratic driving spree in 2021 that landed him in prison for 64 days.

The court heard Florussen, who was supported in court by his father, had complied with a community corrections order (CCO) he served upon his release and was now living with his parents in Melbourne’s west.

Mr Cash explained that, on Mr Florussen’s instructions, he “saw some scrap metal” by the side of the road on November 5 and “foolishly” drove to collect it.

“He instructs it was an isolated, alcohol-fuelled act of impulsivity,” Mr Cash said.

The court heard Florussen had fibromyalgia and a tendency to self-medicate when the condition flared up, and around the time of the incident, his mother had been diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Cash said he recognised there were aggravating factors in Florussen’s case but he had shown insight, had got a mental healthcare plan from his GP and was due to see a psychologist.

He said a combination sentence including jail was of “last resort” and asked Magistrate Swadesir for an adjournment if she was considering it.

Constable Wood cited Victoria’s high road toll and told the court a combination sentence was in range due to Florussen’s “concerning” history, but said she agreed with the defence in that a deferral of sentence could be beneficial.

Magistrate Kimberley Swadesir cancelled Florussen’s licence for six years, but deferred sentencing him so his defence could make further submissions about his mental and medical health.

Ms Swadesir said she was indeed considering a combined sentence as it was “incredibly serious offending” and told the court it was the “highest alcohol reading” she had dealt with in her career.

She said it was “incredible” that Florussen was in court for just for a near miss.

Florussen will reappear in court in July.

Originally published as Jake Florussen pleads guilty to drink driving, while suspended