Adam Stuart Walpole pleaded guilty to aggravated dangerous driving

A drunk mine worker was ripping a burnout when he came to a crashing stop - in front of an off-duty police officer. Find out what happened when the hapless father fronted court.

Adam Stuart Walpole pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while 5.5 times over the legal alcohol limit at Mirani. Photo: Cade Mooney / Sunshine Coast Daily

A Pioneer Valley father of two was ripping a 10m burnout while more than 5.5 times the legal alcohol limit before he lost control of his Holden Commodore and smashed into two parked cars.

Bowen Basin mine worker Adam Stuart Walpole, 43, then fled the Alexander St, Mirani scene on two flat tyres and tried to hide his damaged vehicle in his backyard, two km away.

Unfortunately for him an off duty cop saw the whole thing and police came knocking, Mackay Magistrates Court heard.

Walpole told police he had been drinking beer all day and prosecutor Luay Allawy said an analysis revealed he had a 0.288 blood alcohol reading.

“he knew he was over the limit and was trying to get away with it,” Mr Allawy said.

“His intoxication has led to far more serious offending for which it is quite fortunate that no one was injured.

“His offending was exacerbated by his attempted subterfuge to leave the scene and then hide his motor vehicle.

“It’s somewhat nonsensical that he told police he thought he would be under the limit originally given the reading that was obtained from him.”

Bowen Basin mine worker Adam Stuart Walpole had a blood alcohol reading of .288 per cent when he crashed into two parked cars. Photographer: Ian Waldie/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Walpole pleaded guilty to dangerous driving while affected by an intoxicating substance and failing to remain at the scene of a crash and give information on March 7, 2023.

Mr Allawy conceded Walpole had a limited criminal and traffic history, but argued for a three to six-month jail term in light of the offending.

Solicitor Peter McLachlan, for Walpole, said it was not his client’s intention to try and hide the vehicle.

“There is no excuse and none is offered, but there may be some explanation,” Mr McLachlan said, pushing for a fine.

He told the court Walpole had been working at the mines full time for BHP on a lifestyle roster and was “highly regarded”.

“He does have an issue with alcohol, he has recognised that issues and has been attempting to resolve (it),” Mr McLachlan said, adding his client had engaged with Lives Lived Well, a GP and a psychologist.

“He has been making efforts to improve himself but he failed on this occasion.”

The court heard he had never failed a random drug test at work.

Acting magistrate Stephen Byrne accepted Walpole had a limited history, was held in high regard at work and had been dealing with issues of alcohol, anxiety and depression.

“Alcohol is not the answer to that and if this doesn’t drive that home then nothing well,” Mr Byrne said.

“You’re very fortunate that no one was hurt … you could have killed someone.”

Walpole was fined $1500 and disqualified from driving for nine months.

Convictions were recorded.