The decision to knowingly drive while drunk has resulted in imprisonment for a Goulburn man.
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Stephen Henry Evans, 38, of Joshua Street, Goulburn, was sentenced to jail for high-range drink-driving.
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Evans appeared before Goulburn Local Court on October 14. The court heard that on the morning of July 13, 2020 Evans crashed his vehicle into an electrical pole in Goulburn. It was presented to the court that Evans had consumed alcohol the night before, that morning, and was driving to buy more when the collision occurred. When police arrived and conducted a breath test Evans returned a Blood Alcohol Concentration reading of 0.171.
Solicitor Sam Rowland called his client to the stand to provide evidence before the court.
When asked what he learnt in a recently completed Traffic Offenders Course, Evans replied: "I could have killed someone".
It was revealed that Evans had completed a similar course eight years ago for a previous high-range drink-driving charge - which had resulted in imprisonment. While presenting evidence, Evans said he "didn't take much notice" the first time he completed the course.
On the stand Evans said "I knew I was drunk" when he got into his vehicle on the morning of the incident.
Rowland urged Magistrate Geraldine Beattie to consider a sentence served in the community rather than full-time imprisonment.
He said his client had taken full responsibility for the collision and had cooperated with police.
Rowland said Evans was able to "articulate the impact and the potential impact of his actions" and "express the stupidity of his actions".
Police prosecutor Enderuick urged the magistrate to consider community safety when handing down the sentence.
Magistrate Beattie took Evans' early guilty plea and prior convictions into account.
"Previously you've breached a Community Corrections Order and parole - I can't be satisfied the community will be protected from you," she said.
"The chances of you hurting or killing someone is very high."
Evans was sentenced to nine-months in jail with a non-parole period of five-months. His licence was disqualified for seven-months.
