Mike Sheahan's son Tony Sheahan had 30 drinks and Stilnox before hijacking Uber driver's vehicle

The son of legendary AFL footy newsman Mike Sheahan had 30 drinks and a sleeping pill before stealing an Uber driver’s car in a bizarre meltdown in Sydney.

Tony Sheahan was suffering from “some form of delusional paranoia” as he took over the vehicle at Hotel Ravesis in Bondi Beach after a heavy drinking day.

The 45-year-old appeared at Waverley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where it was revealed he had been diagnosed with alcohol abuse disorder, anxiety and major depressive disorder.

The court heard that Sheahan had been drinking since he was 14, first saw a psychologist when he was 15 and is now undergoing ongoing psychiatric treatment

Sheahan broke the limit more than three times when he hijacked Uber driver Janaka Pathirana’s car on Bondi Beach just before Christmas last year.

The sports gossip columnist didn’t even have a license when he decided to take off in Mr. Pathirana’s Holden Captiva.

Judge Ross Hudson on December 10 outlined the “absolute bizarreness” of Sheahan’s behavior after hearing attorney Bryan Wrench’s accounts.

Mr Hudson said Sheahan told a psychologist he had consumed 30 units of alcohol at Ravesis before having a panic attack and taking a Stilnox pill.

Sheahan had been prescribed the sleeping pill for insomnia, but on top of all the alcohol, it had caused an “idiosyncratic drug reaction”.

Mr Hudson said Sheahan left Ravesis on foot and believed he spoke to police near Bellevue Hill on his way home to Double Bay.

Upon meeting Mr Pathirana, he began to suffer from “some form of delusional paranoia” and “the madness has unraveled”.

The Uber driver was expecting to pick up a woman named Louisa at the junction of Gould Street and Roscoe Street in Bondi when the Sunday Herald Sun columnist ordered the ride.

Wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts and a laptop bag, Sheahan got into the car.

“Go, go, go,” Sheahan barked when Mr. Pathirana asked the journalist for identification.

Mr Pathirana later told police he observed Sheahan’s eyes were red, his speech was slurred and his reactions were “lethargic”.

“The victim also noted that the defendant’s breath smelled of alcohol,” the court documents said.

“The victim believed the defendant to be heavily intoxicated after observing his appearance and behavior.”

After driving a short distance down the street, the concerned driver asked Sheahan to leave.

“You have to get out of my car, I have to pick up the right driver,” Mr. Pathirana pleaded.

“Go go go,” Sheahan said again. “I’ll pay you money, I’ll pay you money.”

When the driver refused and jumped out of the car, Sheahan followed him.

“The defendant twice followed the victim around the vehicle, who was now using his mobile phone to call Triple Zero for help,” court documents said.

“The victim retrieved his house keys from the center console of his vehicle before closing all the doors.”

Determined to “go,” Sheahan – who would later record a blood alcohol level of 0.177 – jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away.

Armed with the car’s license plate, it would only take the police a few minutes to track down the drunk car thief.

Sergeant Kerri Bennett was searching for the stolen vehicle when she spotted it parked on the west curb of Bellevue Road with its headlights off.

As she approached the car, Sheahan paused.

“Sergeant Bennet pursued the defendant on foot and ordered him to stop,” the court documents said.

“The defendant walked further away before being arrested a short time later.”

The court heard that Sheahan only drove a short distance and parked “remarkably well.”

Sheahan was given a breath test and arrested on the spot before being taken to Waverley Police Station for questioning.

Checks confirmed that Sheahan’s NSW driving license expired on 23 August 2018.

Sheahan told police he had downed a dozen beers since midday and asked to be taken to the hospital for a blood test.

Upon his return, police still believed Sheahan was too drunk to be questioned.

Mr Wrench said his client regularly used Uber to avoid drinking and driving and provided evidence of more than 300 such trips.

He described Sheahan’s “bizarre behavior” on the night in question as “completely out of character” and destined to end with his arrest.

“He’d never get away with that,” said Mr. Wrench. “He would always get caught.”

Police District Attorney Sergeant Paul Hennigham called the explanation for Sheehan’s behavior “plausible”.

Mr Hudson said while Sheahan previously treated himself to deal with his mental health issues, he is now receiving appropriate treatment.

His mental health issues were an “ongoing struggle,” but he had gone off medication and cut back on his alcohol use.

Sheahan had volunteered with the Salvation Army and underwent seven counseling sessions with Tim Watson-Munro, a well-known forensic psychologist.

At the time he stole the Uber from Sheahan, the de facto relationship was dysfunctional and he was under financial pressure. He was suspended from work by his employer.

Mr Hudson said Sheahan’s subjective case was “powerful”, he was on his way to rehabilitation and had shown remorse.

He did not convict him of stealing the vehicle, but instead placed Sheahan on 18-month bail that required continued treatment. The offense of driving with an expired license has been discontinued.

Sheahan previously pleaded guilty to driving under the influence in March, for which he was placed on another 18-month parole order. His license was revoked for six months.