Henry Edward Hall pleads guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to drink driving

A Chinchilla man witnessed a motorbike and car crash and pulled over to render first aid, but his efforts landed him in court after police breath tested him at the scene.

A good Samaritan’s own selfless actions led to a court date after he was found to be over the legal drinking limit when he pulled over to help a crash victim.

Henry Edward Hall pleaded guilty in Chinchilla Magistrates Court to mid-range drink driving.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said on January 26 police attended a crash on Auburn Rd, Red Hill at 6.20pm.

When police spoke to the witness who performed first aid at the scene, they could smell liquor on his breath, the court was told.

Police administered a breath test and Hall, who had a blood alcohol concentration reading of 0.123, was charged with drink driving.

“He happened to be there (and) unfortunately when they were speaking to him, getting a version of events, they smelt the alcohol,” Sergeant Hutchins said.

“Being a good Samaritan perhaps caught him out.”

Hall, who is an interstate truck driver, was not eligible for a work licence as he had been disqualified within the past five years after he was charged back in 2019.

The defendant said he had nothing else to add regarding the matter.

“No, it’s just one of those things that happen your honour. It was Australia Day,” he said.

Magistrate Kyna Morice said he was lucky not to be involved in a crash himself.

“Unfortunately road rules still apply on Australia Day, Mr Hall,” Ms Morice said.

“I appreciate you were only caught because you stopped to help another person, but that is a very high reading and you’re lucky you weren’t in an accident yourself.”

Hall was fined $300 and disqualified from driving for three months. A conviction was recorded.