Western Downs offenders busted driving under the influence, sentenced in court this year | LIST

From car rollovers to crashes and ‘erratic’ driving on busy highways, these were the offenders who were sentenced for driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the Western Downs this year. NAMES LISTED.

Offenders sentenced for driving under the influence in a Western Downs court this year.

From a man who believed he was in a car accident while under the influence of a meth and abandoned his car on a highway, to a woman who crashed her car along a regional road and continued to drink out of a vodka bottle, these are some of the most reckless drivers who have been sentenced in a Western Downs court this year.

See the full list below.

Brandon John Modrzynski

A man admitted to police that he consumed meth before getting behind the wheel of his car, driving in a “dangerous manner” then abandoning the vehicle in the middle of a Western Downs highway during a shocking drug drive.

Brandon John Modrzynski appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on November 7 after a witness from a service station called the police concerned about his erratic driving.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said the 25-year-old was originally parked at Thomas Jack Park in Dalby on October 6 and was seen by witnesses looking “heavily under the influence of drugs” and “paranoid”.

Brandon John Modrzynski appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court after abandoning his car in the middle of Warrego Highway during a drug drive.

“He was seen driving irregular, in a dangerous manner. He drove 150m before stopping in the middle of the lane of traffic and left the vehicle,” he said.

“(Police) located (the man), he was arrested and incredibly paranoid.

“He believed he was involved in an accident but would not provide further details, police observed no damage to the vehicle.”

Representing himself in court, Modrzynski said he was very remorseful for his actions and had since been to a doctor to receive medical treatment for his mental health.

The man pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence.

He was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for six months. A conviction was recorded.

Full story.

John William Fodem

A man with a “terrible history” has been given a stern warning about his driving in court after he was busted with another driving offence, this time getting behind the wheel at almost four times the legal limit and causing it to roll.

John William Fodem appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on September 26 after he caused a single-vehicle crash on a rural road where emergency services were called to the scene.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said the 50-year-old, who had seven previous offences of like nature, was driving on Western Rd at The Gums on July 14 when he lost control of his vehicle.

“(Police) got his details and he admitted he lost control causing the car to roll several times.”

The court was told when police took a sample of the man’s blood he presented a reading of 0.177, it was also discovered the man had been driving unlicensed.

Defence lawyer Sarah Campbell said her client’s vehicle was written off due to the crash and will already be of “significant financial detriment” to him.

Fodem pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence and driving unlicensed.

He was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for 10 months.

Full story.

arrested drunk driver in a jail with handcuffs. Photo: iStock

Gregory Michael Cavanaugh

A repeat drink driver who was busted reversing out of a Western Downs pub before being intercepted by police fronted court for his driving offence.

Gregory Michael Cavanaugh appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on August 22 for high-range drink driving after he was seen reversing away from the Criterion Hotel in Dalby.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said police saw the 41-year-old drive in an “erratic” fashion as he reversed and then disobeyed a ‘left only’ sign as he drove onto the Warrego Highway.

When police intercepted the black Volkswagen it was reported they could smell the alcohol on the man’s breath, he was slurring his speech and could not stand properly on his feet.

He returned a reading of 0.197.

Defence lawyer Michael McElhinney said his client and father of eight could not remember how many drinks he had consumed.

The man pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

He was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Full story.

Daniel Justin Boulton

It was while he was sitting and eating at a local restaurant that a Dalby man realised he was too drunk to get back behind the wheel of his sports car, and decided to take himself to the police station.

Daniel Justin Boulton, who appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on August 1, was charged after he dobbed himself into police for drunk driving.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said on July 16 the man was eating at Lotus River Chinese Smorgasboard restaurant which he had driven to from his Black St residence, and realised he was too drunk to be behind the wheel of his Mercedes Benz.

“While at the restaurant he realised he was far too intoxicated to drive behind the wheel of a high powered sports car then decided to hand himself into police,” Sergeant Hutchins said

The court was told the man had started drinking from 11am that day, before heading to the restaurant at 6pm and when breath tested by police, presented a reading of 0.207.

Boulton pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence.

He was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Full story.

Don't take risks with alcohol Photo: iStock

Kylie Anne Lynam

A woman broke down in tears while a court was told the details of a drunken crash that involved her getting behind the wheel while five times the legal limit before rolling her car multiple times, then continuing to swig out of a bottle of alcohol following the crash.

Kylie Anne Lynam appeared at Dalby Magistrates Court on May 30 after she crashed her car while driving under the influence of alcohol.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady told the court that on April 23 the 44-year-old rolled her car several times while driving on Jandowae-Connection Rd, with the car landing up against a tree and some of her belongings flung 2m up into the tree branches.

The court was told a witness who reported the crash saw the Jandowae woman take a sip out of a vodka bottle after getting out of the car.

The court was told police also located a vodka bottle at the crime scene.

Sergeant Brady said Lynam, who cried while the details of the crash were read out in court, was taken to Jandowae Hospital following the single-vehicle crash where she returned a blood alcohol concentration reading of 0.259, more than five times the legal limit.

Lynam pleaded guilty to one count of driving while under the influence.

She was fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for 15 months.

Full story.

Craig Andrew Raymond Ensbey

A man who blew four times the legal limit after being pulled over by Western Downs police said he was trying to help a friend when he got behind the wheel of his car.

Craig Andrew Raymond Ensbey recorded a reading of 0.202 when he was randomly intercepted by police on Beardmore St at Tara on May 3 Dalby Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said the man, who represented himself in court, had one drug driving offence in his history from 2021.

“I was trying to help a mate out who was too drunk to walk, I was trying to take him home from my place to his which was 500m away,” Ensbey said.

Mr Walker questioned the man’s own alcohol intake.

“Do you think you might have been a bit too drunk too?” he asked.

Ensbey replied, “Yes”.

He pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence.

He was fined $1400 and disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Full story.