Andrew Hudgson, press secretary to Premier Will Hodgman has pleaded guilty to drink driving

UPDATED: One of Premier Will Hodgman’s key lieutenants faced Hobart Magistrate’s Court today for driving nearly four times the blood alcohol limit.

Andrew Hudgson, Premier Will Hodgman's Press Secretary was fined for drink driving. Picture: DAVID KILLICK

PREMIER Will Hodgman’s press secretary was driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.197 when he hit a tree and a parked car in Sandy Bay last month, a court has heard.

Andrew Malcolm Hudgson, 35, of Kingston, on Tuesday pleaded guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court to a drink driving charge and a charge of failing to have proper control of a vehicle.

The court heard Hudgson had been drinking alcohol on May 3 and had planned to leave his car at work and catch a bus home, but he went back to his office and decided instead to drive.

The police prosecutor said Hudgson was driving from the city to Kingston when he struck a tree and a parked car on Regent St, Sandy Bay, about 1am on May 4.

She said residents heard the noise and called police.

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Hudgson’s lawyer Garth Stevens said while Hudgson waited for police to arrive he exchanged details with the owner of the parked car, and later wrote a letter to the owner.

Mr Stevens said Hudgson intended to pay for the damage he caused to the parked car.

“He’s genuinely remorseful and expressed that remorse to the owner of the other vehicle,” Mr Stevens said.

“It’s been a salutary lesson to him.”

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly described the blood alcohol reading of 0.197 as “really high”.

“It speaks for itself in terms of the seriousness of a charge like this,” Mr Daly said.

Mr Daly convicted Hudgson of the charges, disqualified him from driving for 15 months and fined him $1200.

Hudgson was also ordered to pay court costs of $86.

A Government spokesman later said Hudgson remained an employee.

“Mr Hudgson … is extremely remorseful, and he has accepted full responsibility for the matter,” the spokesman said.

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said it was a matter for the Premier to decide what behaviour he regarded as appropriate.

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said: “A person who is working for the Premier of Tasmania should uphold a certain standard of conduct. To do otherwise reflects very poorly on the Premier.”

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