AN AGITATED drink driver with a reading nearly six times the legal limit on Christmas Day has been sent to jail.
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West Albury man Jamie Costigan had only had his probationary licence for a little more than a month when he landed himself in trouble in December.
The 55-year-old, who lives on Hibiscus Crescent, was banned from having any alcohol in his system when driving.
But that didn’t stop him from getting behind the wheel of a white Holden Commodore ute at Wilcannia towards the end of a boozy Christmas Day.
Costigan - who has similar priors - was aggressive when pulled over on the Barrier Highway about 5.30pm.
He had been travelling east, 20km/h below the speed limit, when he was spotted.
Police had been travelling a short distance behind his vehicle and activated their lights, causing him to pull into a caravan park.
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He got out and handed over his licence.
“The accused appeared well affected by intoxicating liquor,” police noted in Albury Local Court this week.
“His speech and movements were slow and his breath smelt of (alcohol).
“The accused was very unsteady of his feet whilst trying to stand when talking to police.”
He underwent a roadside test before being taken back to the local station.
He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.288, leading to his licence being suspended on the spot.
Police questioned him about his alcohol intake but the 55-year-old wasn’t particularly keen to divulge any details.
“Get it over with,” he said.
He was charged with high-range drink driving.
Magistrate Rodney Brender appeared surprised by how high the reading was in court this week.
Costigan previously told the court, after being sentenced for trying to kick his pregnant partner while drunk, that he had been an alcoholic since the age of 12.
Mr Brender jailed the 55-year-old for seven months, fined him $700 and banned him from driving for nine months.
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