Unlicensed, drink driving: Three traffic offenders faced Gladstone Magistrates Court this week

This week, three people faced Gladstone Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to offences which ranged from drink driving to unlicensed driving.

This week, three people faced Gladstone Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to offences which ranged from drink driving to unlicensed driving.

Craig Frances Davidson, 21

The decision to drink 10 cans of VB before driving landed Craig Frances Davidson in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Davidson, 21, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Bevan Manthey to drink driving.

Prosecutor Kelvin Boyd told the court Davidson was intercepted at 9.10pm on the corner of Valhalla Street and Harmony drive in Clinton driving a white Mazda sedan.

After a positive roadside breath test Davidson was taken to Gladstone police station for further testing.

When questioned, Davidson said he had been drinking since 6.40pm when he got home from work after breaking up with his long-time girlfriend.

Davidson further stated he had consumed 10 cans of VB and knew he would be over the zero alcohol limit his P1 licence permitted.

At 10.03pm, Davidson’s second breath test registered a blood-alcohol reading of .083, and he was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Mr Boyd said Davidson showed remorse for his actions throughout the encounter with police.

Mr Manthey convicted and fined Davidson $900 and suspended him from driving for three months. A conviction was recorded.

Andrew William Bennett, 41

A trip to the shops resulted in a visit to Gladstone Magistrates Court for Andrew William Bennett on Tuesday.

Bennett, 41, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Bevan Manthey to unlicensed driving.

He was intercepted by police driving on Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood around 9.30am on October 10.

Police checks on Bennett’s licence revealed he was SPER suspended on July 28, 2021.

When questioned, Bennett said he was driving to the shops and he had no emergency reason for driving.

He was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court.

Magistrate Bevan Manthey convicted and fined Bennett $600 and suspended him from driving for one month. A conviction was recorded.

Allyson Emma Lewin, 40

A Gladstone woman blamed a shortage of funds for not renewing her licence, a court heard.

Allyson Emma Lewin, 40, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court on Tuesday to unlicensed driving.

A court heard Tannum Sands police intercepted Lewin driving a silver Alfa Romeo on Hampton Drive, Tannum Sands.

Checks on Lewin’s license revealed Lewin’s licence had been expired for 91 days.

When questioned, Lewin stated she had recently paid for the transfer of registration for her car.

She further stated she was aware her licence was expired, but believed that it was the Queensland Transport worker’s fault that they only charged her for the registration and not also her licence renewal.

Lewin concluded by stating she was short on funds and believed she had until the end of June to pay for her licence.

She was issued a notice to appear in Gladstone Magistrates Court on September 20, after attempting to take the traffic matter to court then reneging.

Magistrate Bevan Manthey convicted and fined Lewin $150 and chose not to take action on her licence.

A conviction was not recorded.