A TERANG drink-driver who blew almost three times the legal limit has been sentenced to three months’ jail wholly suspended for two years.
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Troy Goldsworthy, 21, of The Parade, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court on Tuesday to drink-driving, driving whilst disqualified, careless driving and drunk in a public place.
In July last year Goldsworthy had a blood-alcohol reading of .143 after he performed a U-turn in Murray Street, Colac, mounted the kerb, stalled the vehicle and then sped off.
The court heard that before the incident Goldsworthy was travelling with an acquaintance and was asleep in the passenger seat. He woke up after having a lot to drink and saw his friend down the road and drove the car to catch up to him.
Goldsworthy’s licence was cancelled and disqualified for 18 months in June 2011.
The court heard Goldsworthy was aware of how quickly accidents could happen because his partner’s brother was involved in a fatal crash in 2011. The man took his eyes off the road briefly and his vehicle veered on to the wrong side of the road and collided with another vehicle.
Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said everyone knows the laws for drink-driving and everyone knows why there are tough penalties.
He said it was fortunate Goldsworthy was in court facing a fine rather than substantial jail time. He said he could have been killed, ended up in a nursing home or facing the County Court facing culpable driving causing death.
On the charge of driving whilst disqualified Goldsworthy was convicted and sentenced to three months’ jail wholly suspended for two years.
On the drink-driving and careless driving charges he was convicted and fined $1250. His licence was cancelled and disqualified for 18 months.