Seven convictions for being over the limit Jail for repeat drink-driver

By Andrew Thomson
Updated November 7 2012 - 11:23am, first published August 18 2008 - 12:12pm

AN unlicensed Warrnambool man caught drink-driving three times in nine months, the last occasion with his 11-year-old son in the car, was yesterday jailed for 15 months.Gary Maurice Costelloe, 39, of Daltons Road, pleaded guilty to three counts of both drink-driving and unlicensed driving and one charge of driving an unregistered vehicle.He was one of five drivers charged with drink-driving who appeared in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court yesterday. The court heard that on July 16 last year Costelloe recorded a blood alcohol reading of .206 per cent - more than four times the legal limit.He was also caught on September 10 last year (.170) and April 18 this year (.133) and had four prior convictions for drink-driving as well as previous charges of unlicensed driving.Magistrate Jonathan Klestadt said it was one of the worst records he had seen and the community had to get the message that drink-driving would not be tolerated.He said an immediate term of imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty for Costelloe.Mr Klestadt said it was only dumb luck that Costelloe had not been involved in an accident which could have resulted in the death of his son.He said the impact of such an accident could only be imagined. Costelloe was sentence to 15 months in prison and must serve four months before being eligible for parole.He was also convicted and fined $500 and was banned from having a licence for five years. Other penalties:[FUBullet][PI9017] Royal Heremaia, 26, of Clovelly Court, Warrnambool, was ordered to serve a two-month intensive corrections order after pleading guilty to drink-driving (.117) and driving while disqualified. He was also convicted and fined $2000 with $62.80 costs and was banned from driving for two years.[FUBullet][PI9017]Jeffrey Inns, 53, of the Royal Hotel, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty to drink-driving (.074) and driving while suspended. He was sentenced to three months in jail with the term suspended for two years as well as being convicted and fined $1250 with $62.80 costs. His driver's licence was cancelled for nine months.[FUBullet][PI9017]Scott Fyfe, 34, of Harper Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty to careless driving and drink-driving (.121) after he crashed while arguing with his partner near the Warrnambool war memorial. He was convicted and fined $1000 with $62.80 costs and had his licence suspended for 12 months.[FUBullet][PI9017]Justin Vincent Hennan, 20, of Lava Street, Warrnambool, pleaded guilty to drink-driving (.104). He was also unlicensed and convicted and fined a total of $800 with $82.50 costs. His licence was cancelled for 12 months.

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