Drink-drive P-plater caught by police as she clutched half-empty bottle of vodka

A P-plater was caught sitting in her car by police, clutching a half-empty bottle of vodka. It’s not surprising she blew way over the limit.

Tasmania Police member conducting a breath test.

A 22-year-old woman was clutching a half empty bottle of vodka when police located her sitting in a car in the Launceston suburb of Newnham.

As a provisional driver Machline Wani was required to have no alcohol in her blood but when tested returned a reading of 0.319.

Wani pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court to a count of drive while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit, a count of possess an open or unsealed container of liquor in a public street, a count of fail to follow police directions and a count of hinder conveyance on December 18, 2024.

Police prosecutor Taylor Hay said that at 5.38pm on the day Wani had been refused service at a BWS bottle shop in Mowbray.

“At 6.07pm she was located in her car outside a home in Swan Street, Newnham.” Ms Hay said.

“Police attempted to conduct a random breath test but she refused and refused to exit the vehicle and refused to hand police the keys.

“She was holding a one litre bottle of vodka which was half empty.”

Facebook image of Machline Wani who was caught drink driving in the Launceston suburb of Newnham.

Ms Hay said she was taken to the Launceston Police Station where a breath analysis returned a result of 0.319.

Duty lawyer Grace Burden said Wani had been drinking at her sister’s house but left when they had an argument to drive to her mother’s house.

Magistrate Simon Brown said it was a bad case of drink driving.

“You were six times the legal limit and when approached you did not co-operate with police.

“You hindered conveyance and behaved, frankly, in a poor way when grossly intoxicated.”

He said that it was the sort of episode which could result in death or serious injury.

“You put yourself and anyone else on the road at risk,” he said.

Mr Brown disqualified Wani from driving for two years and fined her $2500 and recorded a conviction for the unsealed container count.

On a separate count of failing to appear in court he fined her $200.

Originally published as Drink-drive P-plater caught by police as she clutched half-empty bottle of vodka