‘No s---, Sherlock’

Driver’s reply after cops asked if he would be over limit

A teen driver, who was twice the legal limit and swerving across the road, told police ““no s---, Sherlock” when they asked if he’d had too much to drink.

The teen, who cannot be named because he was 17 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty in the children’s court on Wednesday to driving offences.

The court heard he had left a party earlier this year and friends had called police because they were concerned for his welfare.

The police prosecutor said police located the vehicle matching the description they were given, and observed the accused “driving in an erratic manner” and hitting a kerb.

Police spoke to the teen and further checks revealed he was on his learners permit and did not have a fully licensed driver with him at the time.

A breath test was conducted just before 1am, which returned a result of 0.110.

When he was interviewed at the police station he said he had been drinking at a party. When asked if he would be over the legal limit, he replied “no s---, Sherlock”.

The teen’s lawyer told the court she had spoken to her client about the dangers of driving intoxicated.

“It can affect members of the community and also harm him,” she said.

“I talked in depth with him about this and he has expressed deep remorse for his actions.

“In his words he said it was a very stupid thing to do and would not do it again,” the lawyer said.

The court heard the teen had been addressing his alcohol use through counselling.

The teen was placed on an adjourned undertaking with no convictions and was also disqualified from driving for 11 months.

“At 17 years of age, the last thing you want to do is drive a motor vehicle until you get your licence,” the magistrate said. “At 17, we think we’re bulletproof, but let me assure you, that’s not the situation.

“If you were an adult, we would be having a completely different conversation,” he said.