Michael Graham Steen pleads guilty to refusing a breath test after arrest at Tugun Hungry Jacks

A man has faced court over a bizarre incident in which he blocked customers from using a Gold Coast fast food drive-through. Read what went down.

Michael Graham Steen sentenced over drunken drive-through incident at Tugun Hungry Jacks.

A Gold Coast man with a history of drink driving blocked off a Hungry Jacks drive-through for half an hour, forcing other customers to reverse back out, while he abused staff members a court was told.

Michael Graham Steen was in a Toyota LandCruiser at the Tugun fast food store’s drive-through when he made threats towards staff on August 16, forcing them to call police.

“The informant stated they believed the defendant (Steen) was intoxicated due to his belligerent behaviour and slurring his words,” Sergeant Greg McKenzie told Coolangatta Magistrates Court.

“(Steen) remained parked in the drive-through for approximately 30 minutes forcing customers to reverse.”

Police attended the Toolooma Street business at about 10.45pm where they found the LandCruiser parked across the motorcycle bays outside the store.

When approached by officers, Sgt McKenzie said Steen was unsteady on his feet, argumentative, and slurring.

He was asked to undergo a breath test but refused and was taken to Coolangatta Police Station.

“The defendant refused to answer any questions in relation to his alcohol consumption,” Sgt McKenzie said.

“Police asked the defendant if he intended to provide a specimen of breath.

“His response was ‘Do I feel safe? Are you going to tell me what to do? Can you call the police?’ repeatedly.”

Michael Graham Steen sentenced over drunken drive-through incident at Tugun Hungry Jacks.

Steen was charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath as directed by police, and for analysis.

He was taken to Southport Watchhouse where, while being processed, he eventually consented to a test and returned a reading of 0.196, nearly four times the legal limit.

Steen plead guilty to both charges and expressed remorse for his actions when he appeared in court.

“I regret my behaviour” he said.

“I’m disappointed in my actions.”

Magistrate Nerida Wilson interjected – reminding Steen he had already been disqualified from driving twice in the past.

“You’ve done it before sir,” Magistrate Wilson said

“In 2017 you’ve been the subject of an interlock – you’ve had a 12 month disqualification.“

Steen admitted he had a problematic relationship with alcohol for a “fair while”.

“A couple of things haven’t gone my way,” he said.

“It’s just something that I’ve struggled with.”

Magistrate Wilson accepted that Steen’s plea of guilty showed he was genuinely remorseful and acknowledge that the penalty imposed would impact his employment.

He was fined $1300 and disqualified from driving for six months. No convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Michael Graham Steen pleads guilty to refusing a breath test after arrest at Tugun Hungry Jacks