Revealed: Names of four motorists in Gladstone court

On Tuesday, January 11 four defendants faced Gladstone Magistrates Court charged with driving offences. Read more here:

On Tuesday, January 11 four defendants faced Gladstone Magistrates Court charged with dangerous driving offences.

Paul Anthony Smyth, 55

A mixture of not eating all day plus three full strength beers landed a commercial diver in hot water.

Paul Anthony Smyth, 55, pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said police intercepted Smyth driving a white Toyota Camry on Glenlyon Street around 8.40pm on December 17.

Following a random breath test Smyth was taken back to further testing and questioning regarding his alcohol consumption that night.

Smyth told police he had consumed three full strength beers between 7pm and 8.30pm and had not eaten food since 6.30am.

His second breath test returned a positive reading of .073.

Smyth was fined $350 and suspended him from driving for three months.

Liam Philip Awatea Stewart, 20

A craving of fast food was the undoing of a young Gladstone man who was intercepted by police on his way to McDonalds after a few beers.

Liam Philip Awatea Stewart, 20, pleaded guilty to driving over the no alcohol limit but not over the general alcohol limit while the holder of a provisional or learner license.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins told the court police patrolling Daniel Drive, New Auckland intercepted Stewart driving a black Ford Falcon around 8.25pm on December 11.

Police saw Stewart driving with his girlfriend in the passenger seat and while speaking with him police could smell liquor on his breath.

Stewart admitted to police he had drank three heavy beers that night and had no emergency reason for driving, only to go and get McDonalds.

Stewart’s second breath test returned a reading of .047, which was over the no alcohol limit stipulated on his provisional license.

Stewart was fined $600 and suspended from driving for three months.

Leslie Norman Zimmerlie, 44

A Gladstone man who was intercepted by police made admissions to smoking a “f--- load” of marijuana the night before being pulled over.

Leslie Norman Zimmerlie, 44, pleaded guilty to drug driving and failing to stop at stop line or before entering the intersection.

Police prosecutor Merrilyn Hoskins said on December 15 last year, around 2.45am, police saw a silver Mitsubishi Triton drive through a stop sign at the intersection on Elizabeth Street, South Gladstone.

Police intercepted Zimmerlie and questioned him as to why he failed to stop, to which Zimmerlie replied he was not paying attention and was talking to his passengers.

Later, police intercepted the car again on the driveway of a Margaret Street address in South Gladstone, where Zimmerlie and his passengers hastily exited the car and started walking in opposite directions.

Police completed a search of the car after detaining all of its occupants and found a small clip seal bag which contained 1.03 grams of marijuana which Zimmerlie said belonged to him.

Police spoke with Zimmerlie who had bloodshot eyes, droopy eyelids, slow and slurred speech, docile body movements, facial muscle spasms and lacked concentration.

Zimmerlie told police he had smoked a “f--- load” of marijuana the day before his interception, however, had not smoked any that evening.

A breath test returned a negative result, however, he was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and taken to Gladstone Hospital where a blood sample was taken.

Zimmerlie was fined $1013 and suspended him from driving for six months.

Alex Basargin, 44

Alex Basargin, 44, pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.Â

Alex Basargin, 44, pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.

Police prosecutor Merrilyn Hoskins said on December 1, 2021, about 6.30pm, police saw a Ford Falcon ute drive along Sun Valley Road before stopping at the shopping complex.

The vehicle then left the complex before turning onto Mercury Street, Telina and pulling into the driveway of an address there.

Police took up with Basargin, the driver, and he submitted to a breath test which returned a positive roadside result.

When questioned about his alcohol consumption that day, Basargin admitted to drinking three mid-strength beers from 4pm to around 6.20pm that afternoon.

Basargin returned a blood-alcohol content reading of .068.

Basargin was $450 and suspended him from driving for six weeks. A conviction was recorded.