Premier’s man blew 0.197 at smash
PREMIER Will Hodgman’s press secretary was driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.197 when he hit a tree and a parked car in Sandy Bay last month, a court has heard.
Andrew Malcolm Hudgson, 35, of Kingston, yesterday pleaded guilty in the Hobart Magistrates Court to drink driving and failing to have proper control of a vehicle.
The court heard Hudgson had been drinking alcohol on May 3 and had planned to leave his car at work and catch a bus home, but he went back to his office and decided instead to drive.
Hudgson struck a tree and a parked car on Regent St, Sandy Bay about 1am.
Hudgson’s lawyer Garth Stevens said that while Hudgson waited for police he exchanged details with the owner of the parked car and later wrote a letter to the owner.
Mr Stevens said Hudgson intended to pay for the damage he caused to the parked car.
“He’s genuinely remorseful and expressed that remorse to the owner of the other vehicle,” Mr Stevens said.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Daly said the reading of 0.197 was “really high”.
Mr Daly convicted Hudgson of the charges, disqualified him from driving for 15 months and fined him $1200.
A Government spokesman later said Hudgson remained an employee.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said it was for the Premier to decide what behaviour he regarded as appropriate.
Tasmanian Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said: “A person who is working for the Premier of Tasmania should uphold a certain standard of conduct.”