Daniel Joseph Ellis, 33, of Bagdad Road, Cargo, was seen driving a blue Nissan Navara ute south on Cargo Road at Lidster at 10.20am on July 21, when he attracted police attention. 

According to police, Ellis’ car was seen to be veering in and out of the southbound lane, crossed the centre of the road when negotiating a right-hand bend then the left-hand tyres left the shoulder of the road when he was straightening up.

Police stopped the ute near the crest of Lidster Hill for a breath test.

They could smell liquor when they went to breath test Ellis, who returned a positive result.

Police said they had to wait to organise transport for the child before taking Ellis to Orange Police Station for breath analysis.

He returned a high-range reading of 0.170 and his driver’s licence was suspended.

According to police Ellis said he had between 15 and 20 schooners of mid-strength beers between 7.50pm and 1am the previous night. 

Solicitor Mason Manwaring said Ellis had been caught in a morning after offence and had since attended the Traffic Offenders Intervention Program at the PCYC.

Magistrate David Day fined Ellis $1650, disqualified his driver’s licence for three months and said the sentence took into account the amount of time Ellis had already been suspended from driving.

He also gave Ellis a 24-month interlock order to have a device fitted to his car so if he drinks the car won’t start.

“If he thought that was a hangover he’s been drinking far too much for his own health,” Mr Day said.