Dalby Magistrates Court wrap: Drivers busted on Western Downs roads

A number of drug or unlicensed drivers have appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court, from a woman shocked to still have THC in her system to a man busted driving under the influence of meth three times in one year.

A number of drivers have faced Dalby Magistrates Court charged with driving offences. Picture: Natasha Emeck

A number of drug or unlicensed drivers have appeared in the Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

From a teen who was shocked to find THC was still in her system to a man caught drug driving under the influence three times in one year these are the offenders who fronted court.

NO CONVICTION RECORDED

Holly Pierce Steiger

Steiger, 19 appeared in court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs following an incident on February 25, 2025.

The court was told police intercepted Steiger at 9.52am for speeding and subjected her to a roadside drug test where she returned a positive reading for THC.

The court was told she had already paid her speeding ticket so was not subject to further punishment on that charge.

Steiger, who had no driving history, told the court she was unaware the THC would still be in her system.

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

Daniel James Thompson

Thompson, 47, also appeared in court and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence.

The court was told on March 21, 2025 Thompson was intercepted on High St, Jandowae and subjected to a roadside drug test where he returned a positive reading for THC and methamphetamine.

Thompson was described as having a poor history of drug driving, being detected under the influence three times in 2020 alone, and was also on probation at the time of the offending.

Magistrate Kathleen Payne condemned Thompson's decision to continue to drug drive.

“Driving with meth in your system is a risk not only to yourself but the community,” she said.

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

Leonie Molloy Purcell

Purcell, 56, appeared and pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed and unregistered following an incident on March 19, 2025.

The court was told police detected Purcell on Day St, Tara at 12.40pm discovering she had been driving unlicensed since February 19 after being suspended.

They also discovered her insurance and registration had expired 30 days prior.

She was fined $1200, received a one month loss of licence and no conviction was recorded.

Ricky-Lee Hogan

Hogan pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed after being intercepted on Chinchilla Tara Rd, Tara on April 3, 2025.

The court was told Hogan was intercepted at 7.45pm for a RBT test where it was revealed she was a repeat unlicensed driver who hadn't held a licence for several years.

She was fined $450 and received a one month loss of licence.

Tori Skye Jane Norford

Norford, 25 also pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed as well as being unregistered and under the influence of drugs.

Police detected Norford on Tara Kogan Road, Tara at 1pm on December 20 2024 subjecting her to a roadside drug test where she returned a positive reading for methamphetamine

Norford was a repeat unlicensed offender and also had a prior drug driving charge.

She was fined $1200, her licence was disqualified for three months and no conviction was recorded.