Man drank about half a bottle of gin before getting behind the wheel

His matter was heard in his absence at Echuca Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Peter Clarke told the court Paez blew 0.157 when his Toyota utility was stopped by police on the Northern Hwy in Echuca on February 5.

When interviewed by police at the time of the offence, Paez admitted he had “probably drank about half a bottle of gin” before getting behind the wheel.

The court heard he has no prior criminal history.

Paez was fined $850 and has been disqualified from driving for 15 months, with no conviction recorded.