Schoolgirl L-plater caught drug driving at Gladstone

A Central Queensland schoolgirl L-plater busted drug driving failed to show at Childrens Court and when police tried to arrest her on a warrant, she “kicked” at a cop.

A 17-year-old girl pleaded guilty in Gladstone Childrens Court on March 7 to drug driving and obstructing police. Generic image.

A Central Queensland schoolgirl learner driver has faced court after she was busted behind the wheel the same day as she used cannabis.

The girl, 17, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Childrens Court on Friday to drug driving and obstructing police.

The court heard that on October 25 last year, the girl, an L-plater, was caught driving with cannabis in her system on Gladstone’s Toolooa Street, at 12.40pm.

Police prosecutor Kelvin Boyd said after the girl returned a positive drug test, she told police she had used cannabis that morning.

Then on February 1 this year, police were attempting to arrest her on a warrant after she failed to appear in the Childrens Court, when she obstructed police.

Mr Boyd said the girl “pulled her arms away” in a bid to break free of a police officer’s grip.

Gladstone Courthouse.

Mr Boyd said the girl was given a verbal warning to stop resisting but she “kicked” at a police officer and refused to comply.

He said the girl eventually had to be carried to a police vehicle and once there, she again resisted arrest.

The court heard the girl had a traffic record, a criminal history and these offences occurred “shortly after” she was placed on a good behaviour bond.

The prosecutor submitted for a reprimand and also a driver’s licence disqualification.

Solicitor Jun Pepito said the girl was currently in Year 11 at school and he submitted restorative justice was not appropriate in this case.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan ordered a reprimand and disqualified the girl from driving for three months.

No action was taken in relation to the good behaviour bond and no convictions were recorded.