A psychologist who crashed into a parked Volkswagen Golf while six times over the alcohol limit will be allowed to drive again after facing court.
Celeste Tripodi smashed into the parked car – worth about $25,000 – just metres from her home in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in November last year.
The 36-year-old, who has treated corporate CEOs and high-flying corporate executives, was on her way back from seeing a movie in Bondi Junction – about two kilometres from her home.
While she told police she ‘had a few drinks’ beforehand, the senior consultant psychologist blew an alcohol reading of 0.298 – six times the legal limit, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Celeste Tripodi smashed into the parked car – worth about $25,000 – just metres from her home in Bellevue Hill in Sydney’s eastern suburbs in November last year
While she told police she ‘had a few drinks’ beforehand, the senior consultant psychologist blew an alcohol reading of 0.298
In Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Tripodi was apologetic for her actions.
She claimed she had been drinking as part of an ’emotional response’ to a ‘personal trauma’ and is now seeing a psychologist, according to a police fact sheet.
Her defence lawyer Brian Wrench told the court his client’s behaviour was out of character and that she was taking steps to reduce her alcohol intake.
‘The alcohol was an emotional response to her emotional state of mind at the time and it appears to be totally out of character,’ he said.
In Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, Tripodi was apologetic for her actions
‘I can’t really put it much higher, she’s truly remorseful at the time, she didn’t run away, she stayed with police and is deeply sorry.’
Tripodi was fined $2,000 and received a driving ban for seven months, which was backdated to the time of the offence – meaning she will be allowed to drive again this week.
She will have an interlock device – an electronic breath testing system that stops the vehicle from starting if the driver has a blood alcohol reading – fitted to her car for the next two years.
Tripodi will also have to fulfill a 12-month community corrections order.
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