Dalby Magistrates Court wrap: Drink, drug and unlicensed drivers sentenced

From a man who lost his licence a day after driving for the first time in 20 years to a driver caught with MDMA, these are the people who faced Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Find out more.

A number of drink, drug and unlicensed drivers have faced Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

NO CONVICTION RECORDED

Andrew Gregory Campbell

Campbell appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to driving while a relevant drug was in his saliva.

The court was told about 5pm on October 4, police detected Campbell on Dalby Jandowae Rd, Jimbour East subjecting him to a roadside drug test where he returned a positive reading for methamphetamine and THC.

Campbell told police he was surprised by the THC reading as he had not smoked cannabis for a week but attributed the methamphetamine to his prescribed dexamphetamine tablets.

Campbell told the court he had not held a licence for the past 20 years and had just renewed it one day before being caught.

He was fined $350, received a three month loss of licence and no conviction was recorded.

Laith Jason Webster

Webster faced Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday, pleading guilty to driving while unlicensed, possession of MDMA and possession of a grinder used for cannabis.

The court was told on November 27 in Moonie police intercepted a vehicle on the Moonie Highway for a licence check, discovering Webster was unlicensed.

The court was told Webster had lost his licence for one month earlier in the year but had failed to renew his licence once the suspension period was over.

It was alleged when authorities approached Webster’s vehicle they reported a strong smell of cannabis prompting them to search the vehicle, discovering a plastic bag containing fragments of MDMA in Webster's pocket.

Webster told police the bag was from a month prior and he had forgotten it was there. Police also found a 0.7g bag of MDMA in the car’s console which Webster denied was his.

His passenger also denied possessing the drug.

Police prosecution failed to produce the drug charge report meaning Webster was able to escape without sentencing, however magistrate Kathleen Payne warned him he was not off the hook yet and would likely be recharged next year.

Travis Ashley Reed

Reed, 50, faced court pleading guilty to driving unlicensed after an incident on Dalby Cecil Plains Rd.

The court was told that about 9.45am on September 24, police intercepted Reed’s vehicle discovering he had been suspended for 12 months following the loss of 12 demerit points.

Reed made admissions to the court that he knew he was unlicensed, however made the decision to drive as he needed to pick up his prescription medicine from Dalby.

He told the court he normally had people who would drive him around, however they were both busy and he had opted to drive himself.

He was fined $300 and received a six month loss of licence.

Hayden Andrew King Lower

Lower, 20, appeared in court and pleaded guilty to driving over the middle alcohol limit following an incident on November 13 in Dalby.

The court was told at about 12.30am police intercepted a vehicle on Ruthven St, Dalby observing it driving without its headlights on.

When police pulled over the vehicle they discovered Lower and a car full of his friends. The court was told officers issued him a breath test where he returned a reading of 0.127.

In sentencing Ms Payne told Lower he was lucky he “didn't get into an accident and kill himself or his friends”.

He was fined $650, received a five month loss of licence and no conviction was recorded.