Dane Layton: Architectural designer guilty of massive DUI on Macca’s run

This is now the third drink driving conviction for the Tasmanian man, who also owns a popular brunch cafe. It’s his highest reading yet, the court heard.

Invermay architect Dane Frederick Layton, 38. Picture: Facebook

A Tasmanian architectural designer who also owns a well-known brunch cafe has recorded his “highest” blood-alcohol reading yet behind the wheel.

Invermay man Dane Frederick Layton, 38, pleaded guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday to a charge of driving while exceeding the prescribed alcohol limit.

The incident occurred on Invermay Rd about 3.30am on July 17.

Layton was pulled over for a random breath test and told officers he had consumed about six beers and was driving to McDonald’s for food.

An initial test returned a reading of 0.149 per cent BAC. A subsequent blood test returned a higher reading of 0.191 per cent, nearly four times the legal limit.

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Defence lawyer Grant Tucker told the court his client had been out to dinner with friends the night prior.

“He was pulled up 10m from his front door,” Mr Tucker said.

Traffic would have been “light” at that time of the morning, Mr Tucker said, but noted his client took the matter “seriously”.

He said Layton drove to Devonport several times a week as he is the owner of Drift Cafe Restaurant, and also drove in connection with his firm, Layton Design.

“It (a disqualification) will have a significant financial impact upon him and he’ll spend much greater periods of time from home,” Mr Tucker said.

Layton had two previous convictions for drink driving in the past nine years: one nearly three times the legal limit, the other 0.071 per cent.

Magistrate Simon Brown said Layton’s drunken Macca’s run was a “stupid” decision.

He fined him $2750 and disqualified him from driving for 30 months.