Drink or drug drivers in Hervey Bay Court

A hotel worker, plasterer and manager of a national company were among the drivers who faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court this week. Full list:

It was a busy day in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, with a P-plater and the manager of an Australia-wide car repairs company among the men and women facing drink or drug driving charges.

Here’s the full list of offenders:

Jared Michael Gerecke

Jared Michael Gerecke, 29, pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, August 3, to driving while a drug was present in his saliva.

A breath test revealed meth and cannabis was found in Gerecke’s saliva, the court heard.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Claire Bibby told the court it was about 8pm on June 14, 2022, when Gerecke returned a positive result during a roadside breath test, and was taken to the Hervey Bay Police Station for further testing.

The court heard Gerecke was driving on Boat Harbour Drive in Torquay at the time, and had no previous history of a similar nature.

Gerecke was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for one month.

A conviction was recorded.

Hayley Maree Smith

A P-plater was busted driving with drugs in her system.

Hayley Maree Smith, 20, represented herself in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court, pleading guilty to driving while a drug was present in her saliva, while the holder of a provisional licence.

On June 11, 2022, Smith was driving on the Charlton Esplanade in Pialba, the court heard.

Police prosecutor Claire Bibby said around 7.15pm, Smith was stopped for a roadside breath test, and was then taken to the police station for further testing.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said cannabis was found in Smith’s saliva.

The court heard Smith worked at the Beach House Hotel and had no traffic history.

Smith was fined $350, and disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

Benjamin Russell Chesterfield

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

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

Police prosecutor 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.

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

He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.060.

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.

Ian Robert Struthers in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

Ian Robert Struthers

Ian Robert Struthers pleaded guilty in Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Wednesday to driving while over the middle alcohol limit, but not over the high alcohol limit.

The court heard he was driving on Torquay Terrace at the time.

On July 27, 2022, police prosecutor Claire Bibby said after a roadside breath test and further tests at the police station, Struthers returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.101.

Struthers, who works in retail, said he “usually stays at home” and “didn’t mean to go out” on that occasion.

He was fined $700 and disqualified from driving for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

Callum Jack Diamond

In Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Callum Jack Diamond pleaded guilty to driving over the middle alcohol limit, but not over the high alcohol limit.

The court heard the 21-year-old plasterer was involved in a minor crash with a parked car on April 23, 2022, and was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital.

Police prosecutor Claire Bibby said a roadside breath test indicated there was alcohol in Diamond’s system, and further tests revealed a blood alcohol reading of 0.125.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie emphasised the seriousness of Diamond’s offending.

The court heard Diamond worked as a plasterer and was a father.

He was fined $650 and disqualified from driving for three months.

A conviction was recorded.