Drinkdriver’s arrogance ‘astounding’: judge

A MILTON drinkdriver downed a large volume of water in a bid to beat the breath test then bragged to a mate his failed result ‘‘wasn’t that bad’’.

Casey Jackson Irvine (26) had never been before the court but he was blasted by Judge Kevin Phillips when he was sentenced yesterday.

‘‘Your arrogance is astounding,’’ the judge said.

Irvine had been reported by members of the public who saw him weaving across the centre line on State Highway 1 near Allanton on the night of May 25.

Police caught up with him in Mosgiel where they stopped him in Gladstone Rd.

While officers administered the breathtest procedure, Irvine became ‘‘obnoxious and uncooperative’’, prosecutor Sergeant Chris George said.

The defendant claimed he had to use the bathroom and had to be warned by police after repeat edly trying to drink water while he washed his hands.

When Irvine was finally breathtested, he blew a reading of 600mcg — more than twice the legal limit.

There was no show of contrition when the game was up.

Irvine told police he ‘‘worked 15hour days and should be able to enjoy a couple of beers’’, Sgt George said.

Later, he was overheard speaking to a friend on the phone saying the result ‘‘wasn’t that bad’’.

‘‘That’s appalling behaviour for a young man who’s trying to make his way in the world,’’ Judge Phillips told the apprentice builder.

Duty lawyer Ann Leonard said the defendant wanted to apologise to the court and police.

The defendant explained he had been working long days at the time and ‘‘did not handle the situation appropriately’’.

Irvine was banned from driving for eight months and fined $700.