Benjamin Russell Chesterfield in court for drink driving

The general manager of a national company was on the Fraser Coast doing charity work when he was asked to provide a random breath test. Read what the court heard:

The general manager of an Australia-wide car accident repairs company has faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court for drink driving while in town on charity work.

Benjamin Russell Chesterfield pleaded guilty on Wednesday to driving while over the general alcohol limit, but not over the middle alcohol limit.

The court heard that on May 1, 2022, Chesterfield was driving on the Charlton Esplanade in Torquay.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Claire Bibby said it was just after 5pm when Chesterfield, who was driving a red Ford Falcon, participated in a roadside breath test.

Sergeant Bibby told the court Chesterfield’s breath “smelt of liquor” when he exited the car.

Benjamin Russell Chesterfield in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

That afternoon between 1.30pm to 5.10pm at a hotel, Chesterfield “admitted to consuming a couple of beers”, Sergeant Bibby said.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.060 per cent.

The court heard Chesterfield was the general manager of an Australia-wide car accident repairs company, as well as the director of a hail repairs company.

Chesterfield said the police officer told him he wanted to have a look at his car, which Chesterfield said was a “$600,000 classic car”.

Chesterfield told the court the reason he was in Hervey Bay was to support charity.

“I wouldn’t put any road users at risk, let alone risk that vehicle by driving had I known I was over the limit,” Chesterfield said.

He was fined $450 and disqualified from holding a drivers licence for two months.

A conviction was recorded and he was issued a restricted licence.