A few drinks to cool down after work has resulted in a Cowra man being given a conditional release order for 12 months when he appeared in Cowra Local Court on November 7.
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Caleb Scott Edgerton, 20, of Hanna Street was before the court charged with drive with special range PCA. Solicitor Clive Hill said his client is an apprentice chef and had drinks after his shift.
“It was 40 degrees in the kitchen. He had too much to drink, five to six drinks with nothing to eat,” Mr Hill said.
Mr Hill said his client drove after lunch the next day.
“He thought he was fit enough to be behind the wheel,” Mr Hill said.
In sentencing, Magistrate Michael O’Brien said Mr Edgerton had waited to drive and was “actively engaged” with the Traffic Offenders Program.
“There are good good prospects for rehabilitation,” Magistrate O’Brien said.
According to the police facts, about 2.45pm on Saturday, July 21, Mr Edgerton, a P2 licence holder, was seen driving along Lyall St and was stopped by police on the Young Road. Police say Mr Edgerton’s roadside breath test was positive.
Police cautioned Mr Edgerton and placed him under arrest for the purpose of a breath analysis test. Prior to being placed in the police vehicle, Mr Edgerton was searched.
Mr Edgerton said, “you’ve got me. I’ve got some pot on me”.
He then removed a small tin containing cannabis granules from his rear pocket, which was seized by police. Mr Edgerton’s test returned a reading of .027 per per 210L of breath.
Mr Edgerton told police he consumed four glasses of bourbon and coke with his first drink being at 9pm and his last at 12.30am. He had also only consumed a pie that morning. Mr Edgerton was issued a caution for the cannabis.
Drug driver charged
A Cowra woman has been given a $300 fine and disqualified for three months after she failed to appear at Cowra Local Court on November 7. Melissa Juhel Prouse, 39, of Courallie Street, was charged with drive with illicit drug. In sentencing, Magistrate Michael O’Brien said her punishment “reflects a limited history”.
According to the police facts, about 11.50am on March 15, 2018 Ms Prouse was stopped for a Random Breath and Drug test.
When asked to produce a licence by police, Ms Prouse said “it’s at home”. Police checked to find that Ms Prouse’s licence was suspended. Ms Prouse also admitted to police she was driving an unregistered car with the incorrect plates. Ms Prouse’s breath test was negative however her oral fluid test returned a positive reading to meth.
She was then arrested for the purpose of a secondary oral fluid test, which was positive. In relation to taking the drugs, Ms Prouse said, “I had a joint last night”.
