A Lake Illawarra police officer caught drunk behind the wheel after a work colleague’s farewell has been banned from driving for nine months.
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Senior Constable Paul Winston was stopped just after 2am on September 1 after his Hyundai Tuscon was seen swerving in a southbound lane on the Princes Highway near Dapto.
He tested positive for alcohol during a roadside breath test, telling fellow officers he’d drunk six bottles of Corona beer and one can of Canadian Club while attending a colleague’s retirement party at Dapto Leagues Club.
He was taken to Lake Illawarra Police Station where a formal breath test revealed an alcohol reading of 0.183 – almost four times the legal limit.
Snr Cst Winston was charged with high-range drink-driving, to which he pleaded guilty in court.
During a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, defence solicitor Katharine Young said Snr Cst Winston did not seek to “minimise” what he’d done that night and accepted full responsibility for his behaviour.
“In his own words your Honour, he said ‘I made the wrong choice’,” she said.
“He was well aware, given his background, of the consequences of his actions.”
She said Snr Cst Winston had admitted using alcohol as a coping mechanism for the trauma he had experienced during his 18 years as a police officer but had been abstinent since his arrest and was now under the treatment of a psychologist.
Magistrate Peter Thompson accepted Snr Cst Winston was remorseful and that his transgression, although serious in nature, was an anomaly on his otherwise unblemished character.
“I take into account your good character and the fact you’ve gone above and beyond for the community in terms of your sporting and fundraising efforts,” he said.
“But you are a serving police officer and you should have know better.
“You were well aware you weren’t allowed to drive – it was a very poor decision on your part.”
Snr Cst Winston was convicted and placed on a two-year court bond while his licence was cancelled for nine months.
He will also be required to install an interlock device in his car when he is allowed to drive again, which must remain in the vehicle for two years.
His employment status is currently under review.
