A MAN allegedly caught drink driving three times in a three day period has been refused bail.
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Magistrate Peter Couzens took little time to reject Mark Anthony Lay’s bail application yesterday, describing the alleged offending as “just extraordinary”.
“How can the court have any confidence that he’s anything other than an unacceptable risk of re-offending,” Mr Couzens told Ballarat Magistrates Court.
Bacchus Marsh Leading Senior Constable Paul Menz gave evidence in the hearing, detailing four occasions since September 26 when Lay, an unlicensed driver, allegedly got behind the wheel while alcohol affected.
He said Lay had blown readings of 0.150, 0.123 and 0.101 as well as refusing a breath test on another occasion.
He said that during the most recent incident on Sunday night, Lay was alcohol affected when he led police on a high speed chase around Bacchus Marsh, reaching speeds of up to 95km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Lay was eventually arrested after driving home, Leading Senior Constable Menz said.
Defence lawyer Paul Houston said his client knew he was in a lot of trouble and wanted the matters dealt with as soon as possible.
“I think the penny has finally dropped that he can’t drive the vehicle,” Mr Houston said.
But his submissions were to no avail with Lay remanded in custody until January 7.
Mr Couzens said Lay was facing an inevitable jail term. “There’s just nothing else one can do,” he said.