Daniel Shaw sentenced at Gladstone for drug, disqualified driving

A Central Queensland man with a growing driving rap sheet has copped a heavy penalty after he got behind the wheel with a cocktail of drugs in his system.

Daniel Warren Shaw was intercepted by police at Calliope. Generic image.

A Central Queensland man who made a poor choice to get behind the wheel with two drugs in his system while disqualified, has been banned from driving for more than two years.

Daniel Warren Shaw, 31, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to drug driving and disqualified driving.

The court heard that on April 13, Shaw drove to help a friend who had broken down when police intercepted him on Archer Street, Calliope.

“It’s very fortunate that his driving hasn’t caused any injury, either to himself or others,” police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said.

“He’s driven quite deliberately and for no (emergency) reason.”

Gladstone Courthouse.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan noted it was the middle of the day when Shaw was intercepted, so helping his friend at that time “can’t have been that urgent.”

In relation to Shaw’s history, Sgt Hoskins said he was sentenced in October last year for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and his driver’s licence was disqualified for nine months.

The court also heard that Shaw had a previous drug driving offence in the past five years, and he committed these latest offences while on probation.

Magistrate Buchanan said: “It’s not a good driving history, I accept that.”

Solicitor Jun Pepito said Shaw was a father of two and a fine was still in range for this offending.

During sentencing on October 9, Ms Buchanan fined Shaw $1200 and disqualified him from driving for two years and three months.

Traffic convictions were recorded.