A MAN caught driving the morning after a night drinking "cans and shots" has been convicted of high-range PCA and has lost his licence for six months.
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Michael Owen Scarlett, 42, of Foulds Court, Berwick, Victoria, recorded 0.153 after being stopped by police at 8.25am on April 7.
Scarlett, who came to the attention of police after he was detected travelling at 111 kilometres an hour in a 100km/hr zone on the Mid Western Highway, was arrested by police after returning a positive roadside breath test.
Police facts handed to the court told how officers attached to Chifley Police District were conducting patrols of the highway when they observed Scarlett's white Ford Ranger speeding.
Police conducted a U-turn and stopped the vehicle, approaching Scarlett and telling him why he had been pulled over.
They asked Scarlett if he had had any alcohol, to which he replied, according to the police facts: "I haven't had anything today. I had a few last night."
Scarlett submitted to a roadside breath test, which returned a positive result, was arrested and taken to Blayney Police Station.
When questioned in relation to his drinking, Scarlett said he started drinking at 5pm on April 6 and finished drinking at midnight, according to the police facts.
During this time, he said he had no food and was unsure how many drinks he had drunk.
When asked what he was drinking, he told police "cans and shots".
Scarlett submitted to a breath analysis, which returned a reading of 0.153, which placed him in the high range.
He was charged with drink-driving in the high range and issued with a field court attendance notice and a notice of suspension to drive.
At court, Magistrate Follent heard Scarlett had attended the Offender Intervention Program, where he said the statistics were a shock for him to learn.
References tendered to the court also told how Scarlett was "embarrassed and ashamed" of his actions, and very concerned about the effect a disqualification period would have on his ability to work and the effect it would have on his young family.
Scarlett was fined $1500, and disqualified from driving for six months.
He was also placed on an interlock order for a period of 24 months.
