Albany man cops 10-month driving ban and $1700 fine for blowing 3 times legal limit after birthday drinking

An Albany man has been convicted of drink-driving after blowing more than three times the legal limit in Mt Melville, in what he admitted was a “stupid” idea. Marcus Liam Graham, 19, faced Albany Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police prosecutor Sgt Michael Russel told the court Graham did not have control of the vehicle he was driving when he was pulled over by police in Mt Melville on the night of June 24. Graham was ordered to undergo a roadside breath test, subsequently blowing 0.186. He was served an instant roadside disqualification. Rather than pleading guilty or not guilty, Graham requested a two-week adjournment in order to receive legal advice to avoid losing his licence. Magistrate Dianne Scaddan bluntly advised Graham that regardless of what legal advice he received, his licence would still be disqualified for the minimum penalty of 10 months. Graham decided to deal with the matter rather than have the matter adjourned and entered a guilty plea. “I may as well plead today then,” he said. “I kind of buggered up a bit.” Graham offered no excuse for his behaviour and demonstrated remorse for his actions, saying it was his birthday but driving was a “pretty stupid” thing to do. The charge was his first offence of the kind. Graham was fined $1700 for driving under the influence and disqualified from driving for 10 months.