Jay Anthony Austin, 23, was intercepted while drunk and unlicensed behind the wheel

A Gladstone man copped a huge fine and suspension in Gladstone Magistrates Court. Read the circumstances of his offending here.

A disqualified driver drank bourbon and beers at a Gladstone pub before getting behind the wheel and being intercepted by police, a court heard.

Jay Anthony Austin, 23, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Friday to driving under the influence of liquor and driving while disqualified by court order.

Jay Anthony Austin, 23, pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed and Under the Influence of Liquor in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins outlined the facts of Austin’s offending, which occurred on July 17, around 1.20am.

“Police observed a car turn right into Glenlyon Street off Lord Street, then pull over to the right to park and saw the defendant get out of the driver’s side and walk to the passenger side,” she said.

“Police smelt a strong smell of liquor emanating from the defendant and he slurred his words while speaking with them.”

Police checks on Austin’s licence revealed he was disqualified by court order until October 11, 2021.

Austin submitted to a roadside breath test which returned a positive result, so he was taken back to Gladstone police station for further testing.

When questioned, Austin admitted to drinking bourbon and beers throughout the night at the Rocky Glen Hotel with his last drink being 10 minutes before his interception.

Austin’s second breath test at Gladstone police station returned a positive result of .189 per cent.

Austin told Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead his actions were plain stupidity and he was sorry for his actions.

Mr Muirhead convicted and fined Austin $2000 and suspended him from driving for two and a half years.

Convictions were recorded.