A Port Kembla man busted drunk behind the wheel outside Mt Warrigal Public School had been in court less than 24 hours earlier over another mindless act of drink-driving.
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Serial drink-driver Gregory Edward Oliver, who has been nabbed drink-driving seven times, was travelling south along Jones Avenue at Mt Warrigal on the afternoon of February 4 when he attracted the attention of police. Officers followed him into Roycroft Avenue while carrying out a check on his vehicle, which revealed the car's registration had expired a month earlier.
Oliver stopped the car at the front of Mt Warrigal Public School, got out and attempted to walk away but was stopped by police.
When asked if he had a licence, Oliver responded "No, I don't, I only went to court yesterday for drink driving".
Further checks revealed Oliver had been charged with high-range drink-driving on December 5 after he was found thoroughly drunk behind the wheel on Madigan Boulevard.
On that occasion he blew an alcohol reading of 0.157 - more than three times the legal limit.
He later told police he'd drunk an unknown amount of beer and bourbon throughout the day.
When breath tested outside the public school on February 4, Oliver returned a reading of 0.092, almost double the legal limit.
Police said Oliver admitted he'd downed three longnecks of VB since 11am.
In documents tendered to Wollongong Local Court, police strongly criticised Oliver's actions, especially given the time of day and location.
"Police will note at the time of detection it was 2.40pm and the school zone had started," they wrote.
"At the time of this offence it was school pick-up time and the accused was driving in a school zone."
Oliver pleaded guilty to two drink-driving charges, as well as driving an unregistered car and with a suspended licence, during a recent court appearance.
He remains on strict bail which includes conditions that he not occupy the driver's seat of a vehicle and participate in drug and alcohol counselling.
Oliver will face sentencing on March 24.
Police will note at the time of detection it was 2.40pm and the school zone had started
- Police fact sheets