A Moree woman who supplied alcohol to a minor on multiple occasions before he crashed his car and died has been sentenced.
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Kathleen Patricia James, was a bar manager in Temora but now lives in Moree, and appeared in Newcastle Local Court this week for sentencing.
She had earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of selling liquor to a minor on licensed premises; two counts of a person related to licensed premises supplying alcohol to a minor; and licensee or employee sell or supply liquor to an intoxicated person.
James had worked in the liquor industry for 11 years and was employed at the Temora Hotel as the bar manager.
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She was charged after serving alcohol to a minor in the hours before he crashed his car and died.
Documents tendered to the court reveal that on March 20, 2020, the minor attended the bar with a patron who was known to James for two separate drinking sessions.
During the second session from 5pm to midnight, the minor purchased or was supplied liquor on 20 occasions, and 11 of those times were by James.
Seven times, James sold the liquor to him, but the four other drinks were given to him free of charge.
He drank Great Northern Beer, Bundaberg Rum with cola and vodka with Red Bull.
Police checked CCTV footage which shows the sale and supply of the alcohol, and no hotel staff conducted proof of age checks to make sure he was 18.
An expert assessment provided by a forensic pharmacologist asserted that the minor would have been intoxicated after 10.40pm with a blood alcohol content of 0.110 that reached 0.135 whilst being served.
Footage from the hotel showed the minor having difficulty maintaining balance.
The minor, who was aged under 18, was the sole occupant of a car when it rolled in the Temora region on March 21.
Emergency services, including police, responded, but the young man died at the scene.
Riverina police established Strike Force Twyford to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
James was arrested and charged last November.
In court, the magistrate sentenced James to an 18-month community correction order with the condition that she perform 120 hours of community service work and undertake a refresher course in Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) within one week.
James was also ordered to pay $3200.
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Annie Lewis
My passion for journalism stems from a sincere desire to tell great stories that matter. So, feel free to get in touch to talk about what's happening in our community. Whether there's an issue that needs highlighting or a triumph worth sharing, I want to hear about it. Email me at a.lewis@dailyadvertiser.com.au
My passion for journalism stems from a sincere desire to tell great stories that matter. So, feel free to get in touch to talk about what's happening in our community. Whether there's an issue that needs highlighting or a triumph worth sharing, I want to hear about it. Email me at a.lewis@dailyadvertiser.com.au
