Close to 7pm on December 8, Orange police received information that a white Ford Falcon had crashed into steel bollards outside the site of the former Kelly’s Hotel on the corner of Moulder Street and Lords Place and then driven off.

When police attended the scene the received more information from a witness who reported seeing the car involved drive into Colvin Lane – behind the post office – where the driver parked the vehicle, which had extensive damage.

MAP: Where the man ditched his car …

When police attended the second location they were flagged down by two men who described the driver, and said he was walking west on Summer Street.

A short time later, police approached the driver.

Brad Lee Ray, 21, of Forest Road, Spring Terrace, was arrested and taken to Orange Police Station where after a 15-minute observation period he returned a mid-range reading of 0.124.

He represented himself in court where magistrate David Day gave him a 12-month conditional release order, which is the equivalent of a good-behaviour bond, and disqualified his driver’s licence for five months, and a gave him a 24-month interlock device order.

Mr Day also took into account the existing four-week suspension Ray was given on the night of the office.

The penalties stopped Ray from being able to continue with his job as a truck driver.