Ingham Court: Seven defendants plead guilty to drink, drug drive

Regret was the prevailing emotion when seven drink or drug drivers appeared in the same North Queensland court on the same day.

Appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday was retiree Richard John Zylmans of Forrest Beach who admitted to driving just over the middle-alcohol limit on Moreton Bay St on June 1. Picture: Cameron Bates

Regret was the prevailing emotion when seven drink or drug drivers appeared in the same North Queensland court on the same day.

Appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday was retiree Richard John Zylmans of Forrest Beach who admitted to driving just over the middle-alcohol limit on Moreton Bay St on June 1.

Queensland Police Service prosecutor Danny Burke said Zylmans, who had a breath-alcohol level of 0.106, was pulled over because the rear lights of his vehicle were not working.

Asked by Magistrate Peter Smid if he had anything to say, the defendant apologised to the court and said he had made a “stupid mistake”.

“At my age I shouldn’t be doing stuff like that, I’d just retired and I had some bad medical issues.”

John Joseph Tarpaulin, 58, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol (UIL) with a blood-alcohol reading of 0.151, just over three times the legal limit, in Davidson Street, Ingham on July 7. Picture: Cameron Bates

Magistrate Smid said he was pleased to hear that Zylmans’ health was improving.

“I’ll give you full credit for your traffic record, it’s not a bad record indeed, in fact nothing in the last 25 years.”

Appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday was Jay John Currington who pleaded guilty to driving well over the middle-alcohol limit when he was busted on the Bruce Highway at Bambaroo On June 14. Picture: Cameron Bates

Zylmans was convicted, fined $600 and disqualified for the minimum-mandatory three months, which took into account the month he had been without his licence.

Jay John Currington pleaded guilty to driving well over the middle-alcohol limit when he was busted on the Bruce Highway at Bambaroo on June 14.

Mr Burke said the reading was 0.136, just under the high limit of 0.150.

“I apologise for my actions, they were very reckless and irresponsible.”

Currington was convicted, fined $800 and disqualified from driving for seven months.

Adrian Noel Tomba outside the Ingham Magistrates Court prior to admitting to drug driving in Trebonne. Picture: Cameron Bates

Adrian Noel Tomba admitted to driving with the presence of methylamphetamine, known as meth or ice, in his system in Trebonne on May 12.

Asked by Magistrate Smid if he had anything to say in his defence, Tomba said he was sorry.

He was convicted, fined $300 and disqualified for one month.

Also appearing on a drug-driving charge was Soraya Adeline Whelan, who pleaded guilty to having ice and cannabis in her system when she was stopped by police on the Bruce Highway at Rollingston on May 15, at which time she was on a learner’s licence.

“I’m sorry Sir that that happened.”

She was convicted, fined $300 and disqualified from driving for the minimum-mandatory three-month period.

Hayden Jay Jones, who recently moved to Innisfail, pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court to having cannabis in his system when he was stopped by police at Alice Hill on the Bruce Highway on May 10. Picture: Cameron Bates

John Joseph Tarpaulin, 58, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol (UIL) with a blood-alcohol reading of 0.151, just over three times the legal limit, in Davidson Street, Ingham on July 7.

Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther said there had been a disturbance at a property and her client was driving to ensure the safety of a relative.

Tarpaulin was convicted, fined $1000 and disqualified for eight months.

Hayden Jay Jones, who recently moved to Innisfail, pleaded guilty to having cannabis in his system when he was stopped by police at Alice Hill on the Bruce Highway on May 10.

Jones, who was on a provisional licence at the time of the police intercept, said he was “young and stupid”.

He was convicted, fined $300 and disqualified for driving for three months.

Jamie Paul Elliott pleaded guilty to driving with a “cocktail of drugs” in his system at Rollington on the Bruce Highway on May 23.

Mr Burke, who said Elliott had one previous similar entry in the last five years, had meth, MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis in his system when he was busted.

Elliott was convicted, fined $300 and disqualified from driving for three months.

Originally published as Ingham Court: Seven defendants plead guilty to drink, drug drive