Ian Stanley Timothy Browne faces Mackay court for drink-driving in Dysart

A single dad without a driver’s licence says he wasn’t ‘thinking straight’ when he drove an unregistered and uninsured car to buy food after downing eight stubbies of beer.

Ian Stanley Timothy Browne faced Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday, April 15, 2024. Picture: Facebook

A single dad got behind the wheel after drinking eight stubbies of beer because he was too bothered to walk 750m.

Mackay Magistrates Court on Monday heard Ian Stanley Timothy Browne was already known to police when patrolling officers saw the Dysart father enter the driver’s seat about 8.15pm on March 5.

His car, a maroon Mitsubishi Mirage sedan, had been unregistered since 2021 and Browne admitted to police he knew his driver’s licence had expired in July 2023.

Police prosecutor Ruth Whisker said Browne told police he hated walking and chose to drive the 750m as he needed to sell a car plus feed his 12-year-old son.

Ms Whisker said he had earlier drank eight stubbies of Great Northern beer.

The 32 year old was arrested and taken to Dysart Police Station where he returned a blood alcohol concentration of 0.109.

Acting magistrate Athol Kennedy asked the father why he drunk-drove and what would be the consequences if he was jailed.

“At that time I was not thinking straight and it’s not very often I get my son takeaway,” Browne answered, adding he deeply regretted his actions.

“I’ve sold every vehicle that I own now and I actually went and bought a pushbike he said.”

The court further heard Browne had sought counselling for his alcohol consumption.

Browne pleaded guilty to driving an uninsured and unregistered vehicle, driving without a licence, and driving over the middle alcohol limit but not over the high alcohol limit.

His licence was disqualified for 14 months and he was placed on probation for 12 months.

Convictions were recorded.