Name and shame: Mackay drink and drug drivers
Emergency crews received calls about a woman ‘possibly deceased’ in a car – they found a mother passed out
Police & Courts
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EMERGENCY crews received reports of a woman "possibly deceased" in a car on Sydney street.
When paramedics and police arrived, they found mother of two Amanda Joyce Hilton passed out with the keys still in the ignition on April 13 this year.
Mackay Magistrates Court heard there was a strong smell of alcohol and several open beer bottles in the vehicle.
Hilton returned a 0.185 per cent blood alcohol reading - more than three and a half times the legal limit.
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A small amount of marijuana was also found in her purse.
Hilton pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and possessing dangerous drugs.
Defence solicitor Natalie Simonsen said her client was working casually and in the process of looking for full-time work.
Ms Simonsen said the offending occurred when Hilton was involved in an abusive relationship and was "going through a difficult time".
The court heard that relationship had since ended and she was trying to get her life on track. She had no prior drug charges in her history.
Hilton was fined $1660, disqualified from driving for eight months and placed on a $450 four-month good behaviour bond. Convictions were not recorded.
>> Iced up driver Paul Anthony Strawbridge has been banned from getting behind the wheel for the next four months.
On June 16 this year police stopped a car on Tennyson St and the driver was seen to be drowsy with dilated pupils and bloodshot eyes and slowed speech.
A roadside breath test returned a negative result, but blood tests at the hospital were positive for drug driving.
His blood was analysed and contained methylamphetamines.
The 28 year old pleaded guilty to drug-driving, as well as possessing a knife in a public place.
He was also fined $1000 and convictions were recorded.
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>> Nicolas Luke Wilhelmi was more than twice the limit when police stopped the car he was driving at Mirani.
The 26 year old had been travelling on Mackay Eungella Rd when he was pulled over for a roadside breath test about 11pm on July 10 and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.117 per cent.
He pleaded guilty to mid range drink-driving. The court heard he would rely on his girlfriend or mates for a lift while he was disqualified.
Magistrate Damien Dwyer said it was "just a shame for him … but he made the choice" after looking at his history.
Wilhelmi was fined $935 and disqualified from driving for five months. A conviction was not recorded.
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>> Epeneri Bainmoli William sank six heavy beers and six pre-mix rums before police spotted him driving erratically on Shakespeare St.
Police stopped the P-plater on Jubilee St and checks revealed he was more than twice the limit at 0.109 per cent.
He pleaded guilty to mid range drink-driving on March 22 this year.
Mr Dwyer accepted it as an early and timely plea, but told William he knew he had to be at a zero limit and he was more than twice the BAC for an open licence holder.
"Well you danced to the tune, now you have to pay the piper," Mr Dwyer said.
William was fined $1065 and disqualified from driving for six months.
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