Clinton Morris Docherty, 42, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to drink driving and driving unregistered

Clinton Morris Docherty was almost four times the legal alcohol limit when he was busted behind the wheel of a van. Find out what he told police.

An intoxicated man busted by police at the wheel of his car tried to convince police he was only moving it to tend to his yard the next day.

Clinton Morris Docherty, 42, pleaded guilty on Friday in Gladstone Magistrates Court to driving under the influence and driving unregistered.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd told the court that on November 3, around 1.15am, police saw a black Hyundai van exit a driveway onto Angler Street, Toolooa.

Docherty was identified as the driver and checks on his licence revealed the van he was driving was unregistered.

When police intercepted Docherty he got out of the van and was, a court heard, obviously intoxicated.

Police questioned him as to why he drove the van down the driveway, to which Docherty replied he had to mow his yard in the morning.

Clinton Morris Docherty pleaded guilty on Friday to driving U.I.L and driving an unregistered vehicle in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Docherty was taken to Gladstone police station after his breath test returned a positive indication.

When questioned about his alcohol consumption that night, Docherty told police he had drank 12 beers between 2pm and 12.30am between November 2 and 3.

Docherty’s second breath test at Gladstone police station returned a positive blood alcohol reading of .198 per cent. He was subsequently issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy said Docherty had similar charges in his criminal history, however, had no charges of a like nature in five years which spared him from serious penalty.

Docherty was convicted and fined $1500 and suspended from driving for 15 months. Convictions were recorded.