A drunk Warrnambool motorist tried to crack another beer after police caught him driving nearly four times over the limit, a court was told.
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Bobby Toka, 25, of Whitehead Court, pleaded guilty in Warrnambool Magistrates Court to driving offences.
He was fined $2000 and his licence was disqualified for two years.
Lawyer Xavier Farrelly said Toka had been celebrating the completion of an apprenticeship – something that was 10 years in the making.
On May 25, police observed Toka driving a blue Mazda erratically on Warrnambool’s Whitehead Court.
He drove towards police on the wrong side of the road and at fast speed, causing officers to take evasive action in order to avoid a collision.
He then swerved on to the correct side of the road and came to a stop on a nature strip outside a property.
It is not alleged Toka purposely drove at police.
Police observed Toka exit the vehicle carrying four stubbies of beer.
Police approached the man, who smelt of alcohol, was unsteady on his feet and slurring his words.
While speaking with police, Toka tried to open one of the beers and drink it.
Police attempted to take the drinks from him but he became aggressive.
He refused to undergo a breath test and was subsequently arrested.
Toka was conveyed to the Warrnambool police station where he blew 0.182.
Police said he would have been “severely, adversely affected” by alcohol and would have been “totally incapable” of safe driving.
Toka was lodged in the cells and released after four hours.
He told police he had been drinking long necks and had decided to drive because he “had (consumed) too much alcohol”.
Magistrate Franz Holzer said Toka’s behaviour was silly and irresponsible.
“You’ve put yourself and the community in great peril,” he said.
Meanwhile, a Port Fairy motorist who blew 0.181 in Koroit has lost his licence for 18 months.
James Peter Kelly, 46, of Albert Street, pleaded guilty to drink driving.
He returned the high reading during a routine intercept on September 2.
Kelly told police he wasn’t thinking properly and he didn’t have far to go.
But Mr Holzer said the distance was irrelevant.
“You could have totalled yourself in 100 metres,” he said.
“Whether you’re travelling 100 metres or 100 miles, it makes no difference.”
Kelly said losing his licence would be a “bit of an inconvenience”.
He was fined $1000 and his licence was disqualified.
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