ATarpeena man has been convicted of disorderly behaviour and two counts of drink driving in the Mount Gambier Magistrates Court by Magistrate Koula Kossiavelos.


Around 3pm on November 2, 2021, police were conducting static driver testing on the Riddoch Highway in Tarpeena when officers observed a red Ford station wagon pull off the road around 100 metres before the testing station.


The man submitted to an alcohol test which returned a positive result, was conveyed to the Mount Gambier Police Station and submitted to a breath analysis which returned a subsequent BAC of 0.069.


The defendant has a prior conviction after being previously detected driving under the influence on February 7, 2017.


On January 20, 2024 at 9.08pm police were on foot patrol at McCorquindale Park for the Penola Rodeo when they received a complaint by a member of the public about a man in a white Mistsubishi van.


“He was driving slowly through the parking area in an easterly direction. Police approached the van and had a conversation with the driver,” Mount Gambier Police Prosecutor Pero Kolundzic said.


“He smelt strongly of liquor, his speech was loud and he was abusive towards police. Further police attended, police requested the defendant submit to an alcotest which was conducted at 9.28pm and returned a positive reading.


“The defendant was arrested due to count two for disorderly and was conveyed to the Penola Police Station.”


The man received a six month licence disqualification effective immediately, a 12 month licence disqualification backdated to January 20, 2024 and fines totalling $2200.