‘Incredibly stupid’: Council worker fined $2.2k for driving suspended, drink driving twice in one day

Police pulled the 53-year-old Gympie driver over for speeding and he blew more than twice the limit and lost his licence; later that day he got behind the wheel again, crashed into his own car and blew more than three times the limit.

Peter Kenton Smith, 53, pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink driving, driving under the influence and driving while his licence was suspended.​

A 53-year-old Sunshine Coast council worker was fined $2200 for driving while suspended and drink driving twice on the same day.

Peter Kenton Smith pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink driving, driving under the influence and driving while his licence was suspended.

Police prosecutor Melissa Campbell told the court Smith was first pulled over by police for speeding on the Old Bruce Hwy at Pomona on April 30, where he blew 0.132.

She said his licence was taken off him, and his car was left on the side of the road.

Later that same day, police were called to a crash at Pomona, where they discovered Smith sitting in the driver seat of another vehicle that had crashed into the car he’d left on the side of the road earlier.

A second breath test was conducted where Smith blew 0.184, Sgt Campbell told the court.

Smith’s defence lawyer Chris Anderson told the court his client was on his way home after having three to five drinks when he was pulled over for speeding.

Mr Anderson said Smith was about 2.5km from his house when he was pulled over, and was frustrated with himself for losing his licence.

Smith had another drink, before realising he’d left his wallet and phone in his car at Pomona.

“He never explained why he took this second decision, but he decided to get into his second car and drove to his first car to retrieve those items, and collided into his own vehicle,” Mr Anderson said.

He also said his client works for the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, and is an alcoholic who frequently attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan described the events as “incredibly stupid”.

Smith was fined $2200 and disqualified from driving for two years.