Solicitor Mr King told the court his client, Edgar Tanios, who was facing a low-range drink-driving charge, needed a licence for his job as a sales manager at Bathurst Motors.

“His job is to drive vehicles, he could possibly lose his employment,” Mr King said, adding that his client was about to travel overseas on holidays, and a conviction could impede this.

Mr King said his client pleaded guilty to the charge, the first PCA on his driving record, which spanned 10 years.

He said his client had had his licence suspended on two occasions, but the events were minor in nature, and included failing to display P plates while driving on his provisional licence.

However, Mr Allen indicated he had no intention of dealing with the matter under a Section 10 A [where an offence is proven but no conviction is recorded] saying it was a “standard garden variety” PCA matter.

“He had six beers, he drove and was intercepted,” he said.

“The consequence will be a conviction.”

Mr Allen said there were good reasons why Tanios needs his licence, including work, and the fact there was no public transport in Bathurst.

“But the message is, if you drink and drive you will lose your licence, and if you continue to do it you will end up in jail. That’s the message to the people of Bathurst,” he said.

Given Tanios’ overseas trip was imminent, Mr Allen said he was prepared to put the matter over until February 24 for sentencing, so he “wouldn’t be stopped at the airport”.

But he told Tanios “to advise your employer it is [loss of licence] going to happen,” he said.