NAME AND SHAME: Gladstone’s drink and drug drivers
From Turkey Beach to Gladstone Central, Monday’s drink drivers’ offending spanned right across the region. Read who appeared in court here.
Police & Courts
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Five drivers busted behind the wheel while affected by alcohol faced Gladstone Magistrates Court recently.
Gregory Alan Barb, 52
On September 17, around 7.35pm, police were conducting patrols of the Turkey Beach area when they intercepted Barb driving a Mitsubishi ute on Bells Road.
Barb said he was coming home from a fishing trip and had consumed some alcohol earlier this morning.
He provided police a positive roadside breath test and was transported to the Tannum Sands police station for further testing.
At 8.43pm Barb provided a second sample of breath which returned a positive reading of .060 per cent.
He was issued a notice to appear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court.
Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead convicted and fined Barb $350 and suspended him from driving for one month. A conviction was recorded.
Benjamin John Cockburn, 32
“It must have been a big night then?”
That was the question posed to Benjamin John Cockburn in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday.
Cockburn pleaded guilty before Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead to drink driving.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Carl Spargo told the court police intercepted Cockburn on August 15, around 12.30pm on the Bruce Highway, Guthalungra.
After providing a positive roadside breath test reading, Cockburn was taken to Bowen police station for further testing.
At 1.24pm Cockburn provided a sample of breath which returned a positive reading of .116 per cent.
He was issued a notice to appear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court.
Mr Cockburn’s duty lawyer Veronica Ditchfield said her client’s offending was a “morning after offence”, where he had a big night of drinking the night before then drove the morning after.
“It must have been a big night then?” Mr Muirhead said.
“Yes it was, Your Honour,” Cockburn replied.
Cockburn was convicted and fined $800 and suspended from driving for three months. A conviction was recorded.
Aidan Jake Hankinson, 25
Aidan Jake Hankinson told the Gladstone Magistrates Court he was very surprised when he was pulled over by police and thought he was driving safely.
Hankinson pleaded guilty before Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead on Monday to drink driving.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Carl Spargo said on August 14, around 12.30am, Hankinson was intercepted driving on Glenlyon Road, Gladstone.
He was taken to Gladstone police station following a positive roadside breath test.
Hankinson’s second breath test recorded a positive reading of .086 per cent and he was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.
When asked if he had anything to say regarding his offending, Hankinson told the court he made an error of judgment.
“I made a silly mistake, I didn’t think I was that drunk while driving home and thought I was driving safely,” Hankinson said.
Mr Muirhead convicted and fined Hankinson $450 and suspended him from driving for two months. A conviction was recorded.
Edwina Victoria Harding, 61
A Gladstone woman told an Acting Magistrate she was extremely embarrassed and remorseful after she was busted drink driving.
Edwina Victoria Harding, 61, pleaded guilty to the charge in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday.
On September 26, Tannum Sands police were performing roadside breath tests on Hampton Drive, Tannum Sands.
Around 5pm, police intercepted Harding driving a Kia Cerato and she provided a sample of breath which returned a positive reading.
Harding was taken to the Tannum Sands Police station and when questioned she admitted to drinking nearly a full bottle of white wine that afternoon.
Harding’s second breath test returned a positive reading of .057 per cent and she was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.
A court heard Harding took full responsibility for her actions and said even though she was going through an immense amount of grief, it was no excuse for getting behind the wheel of her car.
“I am extremely embarrassed, remorseful for my actions and would like to apologise,” Ms Harding said.
Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead convicted and fined Harding $200 and suspended her from driving for one month. A conviction was recorded.
Glen Robert Hicks, 53
A Gladstone man drank five beers then had a learner driver take him home, therefore breaking the law.
Glen Robert Hicks, 53, pleaded guilty in the Gladstone Magistrates Court on Monday to being in charge of a car while over the general but not middle alcohol limit.
On September 16, around 8.05pm, Calliope police intercepted a white Toyota wagon for a breath test.
Police observed a man, Hicks, in the passenger seat of the car who admitted to supervising the learner driver.
Hicks submitted to a roadside breath test which returned a positive reading and he was taken to Gladstone police station for further testing.
When questioned, Hicks admitted to police he had consumed five beers that afternoon before being driven home by a learner driver. It is unclear whether the driver was a relation of Hicks.
At 8.56pm, Hicks returned a positive reading of .054 per cent and he was issued a notice to appear in the Gladstone Magistrates Court.
Acting Magistrate Ron Muirhead convicted and fined Hicks $200 and suspended him from driving for one month. A conviction was recorded.
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