A man has avoided jail time after high-range drink-driving.
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Michael Andrew Lawson, 50, of Crookwell, appeared before Goulburn Local Court on September 22. He had previously pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving.
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Solicitor Jack Reid said his client had returned a Prescribed Concentration of Alcohol reading of 0.204.
He told the court that from September 2020 to June 2021 Lawson developed a pattern of alcohol abuse after a separation.
Mr Reid said Lawson had consumed vodka and a number of beers on the day of the incident, and had described the amounts as "too much".
"[Lawson] slept for a few hours in the middle of the day before he decided to drive," he said.
He argued a person who started drinking in the morning was "not in a particularly good position with their mental health".
Mr Reid said the offence was a "wake up call" for the defendant who had "completely abstained from alcohol" since.
The solicitor told the court Lawson had engaged in mental health and alcohol abuse counselling.
He argued his client's "immediate attempts" to seek out support proved his "ability to control his behaviour".
Police prosecutor Sergeant Wright told the court the sentence should reflect the "intention to help Lawson get back on the rails".
Magistrate Geraldine Beattie said police were alerted to Lawson's driving from other motorists.
She said the "vehicle was all over the place" and when Lawson parked on the main street of Crookwell he almost hit a bin before leaving the vehicle with the lights on and motor running.
"Police found [Lawson] smelling of alcohol and unsteady on his feet," Magistrate Beattie said.
"How [Lawson] didn't crash the car and potentially kill [himself] or someone else is a matter of luck.
"I accept that addiction to alcohol is a health condition but that doesn't mean you can drive."
Magistrate Beattie told the court Lawson "could've gone to jail for 18 months".
Lawson was sentenced to an 18-month Community Corrections Order with a condition to abstain from alcohol and continue with mental health and alcoholism treatment. He was disqualified from driving for six months with a two year interlock order.
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