A prominent Adelaide radiologist has dodged a drink driving conviction after a low-speed adventure through Adelaide’s CBD on a WOMADelaide festival golf buggy.
Tom Entwisle, 44, pleaded guilty to driving the vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .132.
Police apprehended him on King William Street near Rundle Mall in the early hours of March 11 after he had attended the popular world music festival.
Magistrate John Wells said Dr Entwisle had been drinking at the event throughout the day and evening before he and some friends started helping staff "clean up".
"You and one of your friends were using a WOMAD golf buggy to move chairs at this time," Mr Wells said.
"Unfortunately, your friend took off in the golf buggy, driving away from Botanic Park and towards the city."
Mr Wells said Dr Entwisle made the "foolish decision" to take over control of the vehicle before police caught up with him.
"You were at the point quite literally along for the ride," Mr Wells said.
"There is CCTV of your driving.
"You were driving slowly with minimal pedestrians around."
Mr Wells said given the nature of the vehicle and the non-existence of many other road users or pedestrians, he was prepared to conclude there was a "less pronounced" risk to the community.
The court heard Dr Entwisle was deeply ashamed of his actions and pleaded guilty to the offence at the first available opportunity.
The magistrate acknowledged it was unusual to deal with drink driving matters without conviction, but he was satisfied the radiologist was unlikely to commit the offence again.
"This experience, standing in the dock of a criminal court, the associated shame and public scrutiny all cohere into a strong motivation for you not to re-offend," Mr Wells said.
"I accept that you have been exposed to publicity and additional embarrassment that most people who plead guilty to this offence do not."
He was given a community work order and is disqualified from driving for nine months, backdated to March.
