A PORT FAIRY P-plater who blew more than three times the legal limit after he crashed a car he’d only owned for a day has been fined.
Luke Hamilton, 21, of Albert Road, pleaded guilty yesterday in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to drink-driving and careless driving
The court heard that at 1am on Sunday, September 30 last year, Hamilton had been drinking at the Stump Hotel after watching the AFL grand final at the Port Fairy Cricket Club.
Hamilton walked to his car and drove it south on William Street. He went through a post and fence into the Russell Clark reserve and drove around the reserve.
The car became caught in wire fencing.
When police arrived Hamilton was standing near the car screaming and crying at the damage done to the car.
He ran off and told police he was going to drown himself.
When he was caught by police a blood-alcohol reading, performed more than two hours after the incident, was .174. He admitted to police he’d drank two cans of beer and 10 cans of Jack Daniels whisky and cola.
Hamilton was supported in court by his mother, brother and paternal grandfather.
The court heard the whole evening was a complete aberration.
Hamilton’s defence counsel said his client purchased his Audi car that day and had no intention to drive on the night.
He said Hamilton couldn’t remember walking home and police had been concerned with his welfare.
Magistrate Jonathan Kles-tadt said the events were a graphic demonstration on why the driving laws were as tough as they were.
Hamilton was fined $1000 and ordered to pay $107.40 in statutory costs, his licence was cancelled and disqualified from driving for 18 months and was ordered to pay $743.65 compensation.