Drunk Driver Caught Once, Caught Twice — Then Released Back Into the Community by a Judge

A 24-year-old man is facing a string of serious charges after police allege he was caught drink-driving twice in under two hours, including leading officers on a late-night pursuit through Maitland and Thornton, before being released back into the community on bail.

Officers attached to the Port Stephens–Hunter Police District were patrolling the New England Highway at East Maitland about 12.30am on Saturday when they observed a ute allegedly being driven dangerously. The vehicle was stopped a short time later on Lawes Street, where police arrested the driver after he allegedly returned a positive roadside breath test.

The man was taken to Maitland Police Station for further testing, where a secondary breath analysis allegedly recorded a reading of 0.166, more than three times the legal limit. He was charged with driving with high-range PCA, issued with a court attendance notice and had his driver’s licence immediately suspended.

Less than two hours later, police allegedly saw the same ute being driven again on the New England Highway at East Maitland about 2am, despite the earlier licence suspension. When the driver allegedly failed to stop as directed, police initiated a pursuit.

The pursuit continued through Taylor Avenue at Thornton, where road spikes were successfully deployed. A short time later the vehicle was brought to a stop on Victoria Street, and police arrested the same driver at the scene.

He was again taken to Maitland Police Station, where a second breath analysis allegedly returned a reading of 0.130. Police charged the man with police pursuit for not stopping and driving recklessly, driving a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended, and driving with middle-range PCA.

The man was initially refused bail; however, the court has since granted him conditional bail, allowing him to be released back into the community as the matter proceeds through the courts.