Patrick William Durham in court on public nuisance charge
A court has heard how a dad of two had just returned from a three-week stint at sea, been drinking and was “extremely exhausted” when he sat in the middle of the road … and didn’t budge.
Police & Courts
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A Bundaberg court has heard how a prawn trawler fisherman had been drinking and was “extremely exhausted” after three weeks at sea when he sat down in the middle of a Rockhampton road.
The court heard Patrick William Durham had been drinking on his one day off in Rockhampton before returning to see his wife and family in Brisbane.
But Durham had chosen a busy road in the Rockhampton Safe Night Precinct in which to sit, and soon drew the attention of officers who asked him to move out of the path of traffic.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Glant Klaassen told the court Durham “eventually complied” and went and laid on the footpath instead.
“Police tried to get the defendant to leave the area, gave him chances to arrange transport that were unsuccessful,” Sgt Klaassen said.
When Durham finally decided to move on, he abused police as he was leaving, saying “watch out, there’s f------ copper dogs there, f------ pieces of s---”.
Durham’s lawyer Christabelle Stafford-Smith said her client was now a dad of two and “extremely remorseful” for his actions.
“He says he regrets having drinks that night and he was extremely exhausted, but does accept that his conduct was a nuisance to the public,” she said.
Durham pleaded guilty to two charges – one of public nuisance on February 5, 2022 and another of failing to appear in Rockhampton Court House on the same day.
It was heard that Durham had been at sea when he missed his court date and had volunteered to make arrangements for his court date upon his return to land.
Magistrate Edwina Rowan noted Durham had “indicated some remorse” and his offending was out of character.
For the public nuisance offence, Durham was fined $500, referred to SPER.
For failing to appear, he was fined $100, referred to SPER.
No convictions were recorded.
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