Darrin John Ryan, 28, of Pilcher Street, Millthorpe, appeared before magistrate Michael Allen in Bathurst Local Court charged with high-range PCA.

Police facts tendered to the court told how Ryan was found by a member of the public slumped in the driver’s seat of his car on November 5 last year with the keys still in the ignition.

Police were called and when they arrived, they found an open can of Canadian Club and Dry in the centre console of the car. 

Police knocked on the window of the car and were unable to rouse Ryan. They opened the door of the car, which woke the driver.

Police spoke with Ryan and said he was disorientated and unsure of where he was. 

He said he remembered sitting in his vehicle at his address in Millthorpe listening to music and drinking until police woke him. 

The court heard the vehicle’s engine was still hot to touch.

A roadside breath test produced a positive result and he was arrested for a breath analysis, recording 0.160.

When talking with the accused, the police formed the opinion he was well-affected by alcohol.

He told police he had consumed eight Canadian Club premixed cans between 10pm and an unknown time.

References tended to the court told how Ryan was full of regret and shame for his actions.

Mr Allen convicted Ryan, fining him $880 with 28 days to pay. 

He was also disqualified from driving for six months and put on an interlock order for 24 months.