Kacee James Austin sentenced for tearing up Teewah Beach during dangerous doughnut driving session

A Noosa Magistrate said a man, 18, must have put his “brain in the glove box and a pumpkin in his head” before tearing up Teewah Beach.

Kacee James Austin was caught tearing up Teewah Beach while doing doughnuts in front of campers. Picture: Laura Pettigrew

“Don’t do anything stupid” were the last words an 18-year-old heard from his mum before he was caught tearing up Teewah Beach doing doughnuts in front of campers.

Kacee James Austin had alcohol in his system when he dangerously drove his car on Teewah Beach at 7.50pm on July 31.

Crown prosecutor Alison Johnstone said Austin did three doughnuts in his grey ute before driving down the beach 200m and doing another.

“Police observed the vehicle driving in a circular motion at speed causing the vehicle’s wheels to lose traction, causing the rear of the vehicle to slide out in circular motions,” she said.

“Police could hear the vehicle’s motor revving hard, observing the wheels of the vehicle spinning rapidly causing the hard sand to expel at a distance from the rear of the tyres in a burnout manner.”

Sergeant Johnstone said the P-plater blew an alcohol reading of 0.028 after police smelt liquor on his breath.

“The area he was in was a popular camping zone, there were 40 to 50 campsites with multiple persons staying at each campsite, it was dark, no street lighting, a visibility of approximately 40m was what police stated,” she said.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist said Austin was another example of young drivers being stupid on North Shore.

“You get to the sandy part of North Shore, you put the brain in the glove box and put a pumpkin in your head,” he said.

Austin pleaded guilty in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday to dangerous operation of a vehicle.

The court heard Austin, the sole occupant of the car, told police it was a “stupid” thing to do.

Sergeant Johnstone said a significant fine would ensure Austin reflected on the seriousness of his driving behaviour.

Solicitor Chelsea Emery said the 18-year-old was on a camping trip with friends who had purchased new four-wheel-drive cars and had one beer before driving the car.

Ms Emery said Austin understood his actions were very dangerous but said he knew all campers were standing away from his car while he was doing the doughnuts.

The 18-year-old told the court his mother had told him not to do anything “stupid” before he left for the trip.

Ms Emery said three driving courses that Austin had completed since the offence had brought home the seriousness of his actions.

“He recognises that he is very fortunate that nothing happened to him or anyone else,” She said.

Ms Emery said references, including one from a family member who worked as a police prosecutor, spoke very highly of Austin.

She said Austin was currently helping his mum get to doctor appointments and would be impacted by a disqualification period.

The court heard Austin had no criminal or traffic history.

Ms Emery asked Mr Stjernqvist to impose a fine and the minimum disqualification period of six months.

Austin was fined $800 and disqualified for six months.

“The beach is a road, the same rules apply as if it was done in the Junction,” Mr Stjernqvist said.

No conviction was recorded.