Dalby court wrap: Drink or drug drivers sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court

From a man who drove under the influence due to his wife’s hip surgery to a man who accepted a few beers after helping build a fence, these are the offenders who faced Dalby Magistrates Court.

A number of drink or drug drivers have been sentenced in Dalby Magistrates Court.

A series of drink or drug drivers faced the Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday before magistrate Kathleen Payne. Here’s what happened.

NO CONVICTION RECORDED

• Vera Rose Clevens

Clevens faced Dalby Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to driving with a relevant drug in her saliva following an incident on August 3 in Tara.

The court was told about 11am police intercepted a vehicle on Fry St, subjecting Clevens to a drug test where she returned a positive reading for cannabis.

She was subject to a one month loss of licence, a $350 fine and no conviction.

• Ricky James Mayers

Mayers pleaded guilty to drink driving after being detected in Dalby just over the legal limit.

About 8pm on October 12 Mayers was detected on Edwards St where he was subjected to an RBT returning a reading of 0.058.

Mayers told the court he had been out with his wife who had recently had a hip operation and was unable to drive, so he had made the decision to drive after having a few drinks.

He was hit with a one month loss of licence, a $350 fine and no conviction.

• Benjamin Aaron Maher

Maher, 45, also pleaded guilty to drink driving after being detected in Tara on September 28.

Maher was issued an RBT on Sara St returning a reading of 0.094.

He told the court he had been helping his neighbour build a fence all day before accepting an offer to go for a meal and drinks.

He said he also had a few drinks throughout the day which would have contributed to his higher reading.

Maher told the court it was “a silly spur of the moment decision”.

When sentencing Ms Payne took into account Maher’s prior drink driving offence in May 16 2023 and sentenced him to a two month loss of licence, a $500 fine and no conviction.

• Shelly-Anne Brown

Brown faced court pleading guilty to driving with a relevant drug in her saliva after an incident on July 3 in Dalby.

At about 1pm on Kookaburra St police issued an RBT and roadside drug test that returned a positive reading for methamphetamine.

Brown had been sentenced for the same offence just several months prior.

She was fined $350, lost her licence for two months and no conviction was recorded.