Former Horsham Sergeant Patrick Harrington charged with drink-driving

Patrick Harrington, 60, faced Horsham Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with drink-driving.

Harrington was absent from court due to health reasons, but pleaded guilty to the charge.

The court heard that police intercepted Harrington while he was driving in Horsham at 7.30pm on September 13.

Harrington was breath-tested and recorded a blood-alcohol reading of 0.168.

He’s driver’s licence was immediately suspended.

The court heard Harrington told police at the time he had drunk a bottle of scotch before driving.

He told officer his reason for drinking was because of all the years of horrendous incidents he had to attend without support from Victoria Police. 

 Defence solicitor Melissa Schilling said Harrington retired from the force two months after the incident.

She said he was 18 years old when he joined Victoria Police and 10 years later he started work in the Wimmera at Kaniva Police Station.

“In the later years he worked at Horsham and became a sergeant,” she said.

Ms Schilling said Harrington was traumatised from his job.

“He has witnessed untold destruction, especially while he was at Kaniva where he was working alone and had to attend incidents such as suicides and car accidents without support,” she said.

“He became depressed and turned to alcohol.”

Ms Schilling said Harrington’s marriage had also broken down and he was now seeking treatment for alcoholism.

She said he had also been diagnosed with early onset dementia. 

Magistrate Ronald Saines said whatever Harrington’s mental or health situation was now, he was still working as a police officer at the time of the incident.

“I take into account his alcoholism, which could be attributed to any psychological disturbance,” he said.

“It is also clear the mix of alcohol and driving was out of character.”

Mr Saines convicted Harrington on the charge and fined him $200.

He also cancelled and disqualified his driver’s licence for 16 months.