A Wagga man who was driving at three times the legal alcohol limit before almost running over a pub security guard has been labelled "foolish" by a magistrate.
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David John Vanstyn appeared at Wagga Local Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to a charge of high-range drink-driving.
Just before midnight on June 19, police were flagged down by hotel security at the Victoria Hotel and told the 34-year-old had been asked to leave the venue.
Court documents reveal that Vanstyn then got into his car and almost ran over a security guard while reversing out before merging on Edward Street.
Police turned on their lights and stopped him for a breath test which returned an initial reading of 0.203.
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Vanstyn was arrested and taken to Wagga Police Station, where a second test showed a reading of 0.172, which is more than three times the legal limit.
He told police, who said he had bloodshot eyes and smelt of liquor, that he had drunk five schooners of beer.
Solicitor Michael Camerer said his client drove to the pub to give his friends a lift and planned on leaving the car there.
He said Vanstyn had a "very good record" and had learnt from his behaviour.
Magistrate Miranda Moody said Vanstyn was a fool who has committed "one of the most serious driving offences of all", placing the community at risk.
"Unfortunately for him, it was his manner of driving that brought him to police's attention," she said.
"It's completely out of character it appears for Mr Vanstyn ... he has been driving an unrestricted licence since 2015.
"He appears very remorseful ... he has enormous insight into his offending."
Considering his early plea of guilty, Magistrate Moody fined Vanstyn $1000 and disqualified him from driving for six months. He will also need to have an interlock driver's licence for 24 months.
"I don't imagine we will be seeing him again," she said.
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