Popanyinning driver fined $3500 and licence disqualified for 30 months after blowing five times legal limit

A Pingelly man has copped a $3500 fine and had his licence disqualified for 2.5 years after he blew over five times the legal limit at a police stop in Popanyinning. Athol John Ugle, 53, pleaded guilty to one charge of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and one charge of no authority to drive in Narrogin Magistrates Court on September 19. Police prosecutor Phil Milne said Ugle was stopped by police in Popanyinning at 3.09pm on August 14 and breathalysed, returning a blood alcohol content of 0.265. Ugle was also found to have contravened conditions that prohibited him from driving a vehicle not fitted with an alcohol interlock device. The defence said that Ugle had been returning to Pingelly from Narrogin where he had consumed more alcohol than intended and did not have access to a vehicle fitted with an interlock device. Ugle entered an early guilty plea and apologised for his actions. “You had been drinking a lot and were not able to drive at all,” Magistrate Dianne Scadden said. “The fines are very steep now for driving under the influence due to the risk it poses to the public.” The magistrate fined Ugle $3150 for driving under the influence and $400 for driving in contravention of interlock conditions. Ugle was also instructed to pay costs of $270 and received a 30-month disqualification from driving.