Five people lose licence in Griffith in space of five days over alleged drink-driving

Five people have been charged with drink-driving offences in the space of just five days in Griffith, in a busy week for local traffic police.

Acting Inspector Colleen Hayden informed Region that a driver was allegedly caught each day between Thursday (31 October) and Monday (4 November). Three of the drivers allegedly had blood alcohol readings of around four times the legal limit or more, while one man was allegedly seen to have an open bottle of alcohol in his car while driving and another was allegedly speeding with his headlights off.

Thursday 31 October

At about 4:05 pm, a 34-year-old male drove a black four-wheel drive Dodge Journey in an easterly direction on Mackay Ave.

The male pulled up next to police at the lights and it was allegedly observed that he had an open bottle of alcohol in the vehicle. He was subsequently stopped by police on Macedone Road where he showed police his licence.

The man allegedly admitted to drinking five to six alcoholic beverages about 40 minutes prior to being stopped by police. He allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test and was arrested and conveyed to Griffith Police Station for a breath analysis.

The breath analysis allegedly produced a result of 0.81 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.

Due to the alleged reading being in the mid-range prescribed concentration of alcohol, his licence was suspended and he was issued with a court attendance notice.

Friday 1 November

At around 10:15 pm, police attempted to stop the driver of a Ford Ranger, who was allegedly speeding on Banna Avenue with his headlights off.

Police activated all warning signals indicating for the vehicle to stop and it allegedly continued at speed and turned right into Benerembah Lane to avoid police.

The vehicle then came to a sudden stop with the driver allegedly alighting from the vehicle and running off into a unit complex. Police initiated a foot pursuit, allegedly locating the 29-year-old male driver in the front yard of a unit in which he did not reside.

He was arrested, cautioned and placed under arrest. He allegedly refused to provide a driver’s licence or state his full name.

He was conveyed to Griffith Police Station for the purpose of a breath analysis.

Attempts were made for the male to complete a breath test whilst in police custody. He was given three opportunities to supply a sample of his breath, which he allegedly failed to do.

He was submitted to a breath analysis which allegedly produced a result of 0.129 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.

Due to the alleged reading being in the mid range prescribed concentration of alcohol, his licence was suspended. He was issued a court attendance notice.

Sunday 2 November

At about 1:55 am, a 20-year-old male was seen driving a white Subaru Liberty on Ortella Street.

He was stopped by police and produced a provisional licence. He was subjected to a roadside breath test which allegedly produced a positive result. As such, he was arrested and conveyed to Griffith Police Station for the purpose of a breath analysis.

The breath analysis allegedly produced a result of 0.210 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.

Due to the alleged reading being in the high range prescribed concentration of alcohol, his licence was suspended and he was issued with a court attendance notice.

Sunday 3 November

At around 4:15 am, a 30-year-old male was seen driving a silver Holden Commodore on Binya Street.

He was stopped by police for the purpose of roadside testing and licence inspection.

The male was subjected to a roadside breath test which he allegedly failed after three attempts and clear instructions.

He was arrested and conveyed to Griffith Police Station for the purpose of a breath analysis. The breath analysis allegedly produced a result of 0.199 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.

Due to the alleged reading being in the high range prescribed concentration of alcohol, the accused’s NSW licence was suspended.

Monday 4 November

At about 12:06 am, a 26-year-old male was seen driving a black Chrysler 300C on Rifle Range Road. He was stopped for the purpose of a breath test and licence inspection, and produced a heavy vehicle licence.

He was subjected to a roadside breath test which allegedly produced a positive result.

He was arrested and conveyed to Griffith Police Station where he underwent a breath analysis. This allegedly returned a reading of 0.244 grams of alcohol in 210 litres of breath.

Due to the alleged reading being in the high range, his licence was suspended. He was issued with a court attendance notice.