Leighlan Masso caught driving while nearly four times the legal alcohol limit

An Ipswich dad told police he had drunk ‘enough beers to kill a rhino’ after being pulled over on a midnight drive, a court has heard.

An Ipswich dad has been dealt a hefty fine after being caught driving while almost four times the legal alcohol limit.

When asked by the police officer what he had, Leighlan Charles Masso, 26, replied “beers, enough to kill a rhino,” an Ipswich court heard when the father of two appeared for sentence.

Prosecutor, Sergeant Paul Caldwell said Masso tested to an alcohol reading of 0.193 after being intercepted by a police patrol in Basin Pocket just before 2am.

Masso, of Riverview, pleaded guilty to driving UIL type 2 offence at Basin Pocket on August 14; and driving unlicensed.

Sgt Caldwell said officers saw a blue Ford Falcon do a U-turn at 1.50am and they intercepted.

The court heard that police found empty cans of alcohol inside the car.

Masso appeared to be slurring his words and was taken to Ipswich police station to be tested.

He gave an alcohol reading of 0.193 per cent.

“When asked what he’d been drinking he stated “beers, enough to kill a rhino,” Sgt Caldwell said.

Masso had previously been disqualified until August 22 last year, Sgt Caldwell saying that he then failed to renew his driver‘s licence.

Defence barrister Sally Jenkins said Masso had an prior offence where he was disqualified nine months.

Leighlan Charles Masso at Ipswich Courthouse. Picture Ross Irby.

“He is very remorseful and very ashamed,” she said.

“He had sworn to himself after the events of the first offence that he would never again find himself to be so reckless.”

Ms Jenkins was referring to an incident where Masso pleaded guilty to drink driving (. 151) in 2018 after police were called to an accident scene at 2am on the Ipswich Motorway where a light pole had fallen after being struck by a car. Masso was then fined $1100 and disqualified nine months.

Ms Jenkins told the court Masso had now taken action to dispose of his car and had no temptation to drive.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella noted his genuine remorse and that he had suffered personal embarrassment and that there was a like offence on his traffic record.

Masso was fined $1400 and disqualified from driving 14 months.