Man sentenced for high-range drink-driving, behaving in offensive manner

The man appeared in Wagga Local Court on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty to drink-driving, failing to notify residential address change and behaving in an offensive manner in a public place.

On January 24, the 28-year-old was driving along Huthwaite Street in front of police officers when they pulled him over for a random breath test.

After a positive result was recorded, he was taken to Wagga Police Station for a second test which came back with a reading of 0.175.

In custody, he became aggressive and repeatedly took his clothes off and banged on his cell door.

When he was being released, the offender was in a hospital dressing gown as he used his clothing to wipe his urine off his cell floor.

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While being escorted through the station, he opened the gown and exposed his genitals in full view of the bystanders while yelling and swearing in at police.

Solicitor Michael Camerer said the hardship his client has suffered was the catalyst for the event.

He explained the offender had been off work, was at home and had turned to alcohol.

"He is now aware of the problem he has with alcohol," Mr Camerer said.

"He has already spoken to his GP about it, [and] he has been approved for the seven free counselling sessions and happy to pay for sessions thereafter.

"He doesn't have an excuse for his behaviour ... he is not looking for an excuse."

Magistrate Moody acknowledged that the offender suffered something "hugely distressing" when his child died within minutes of being born.

"He has clearly not been dealing with in an appropriate manner," she said.

"Addressing his grief with the consumption of alcohol to this level is not helping himself ... I note he is trying to do something about it."

Magistrate Moody said it was fortunate that the offender's driving manner was not what brought him to officers' attention.

She sentenced the offender to a community corrections order for 12 months with the condition he accesses drug and alcohol counselling.

He was also fined $1200, disqualified from driving for nine months, and required to use an interlock for 48 months.

Magistrate Moody addressed the man, offering the advice that "abstinence might not be a bad thing".

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