CQ builder Andrew William Roberts faces court after drunken New Year’s Day run-in with police

“He’s highly embarrassed about his behaviour”: A Capricorn Coast builder busted behind the wheel of a car more than three times the legal alcohol limit has had his day in court.

A Central Queensland builder has faced court after a drunken run-in with police officers on New Year’s Day.

Andrew William Roberts, 44, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on January 27 to drink-driving, contravening a police direction and public nuisance.

The court heard that the three charges stemmed from an incident at Yeppoon on the afternoon of January 1.

Police Prosecutor Clancy Fox said that about 5.15pm on that day, police were on patrol when they saw a Toyota wagon on Anzac Parade.

Mr Fox said there had been a complaint made earlier, so the vehicle was intercepted.

He said police spoke to Roberts and another man, and Roberts told officers that the two of them were the only occupants of the vehicle and that his associate had not driven the vehicle that day.

Mr Fox said police noticed a level of intoxication and determined that Roberts was the driver, and Roberts told officers that he “had just floated there”.

Mr Fox said Roberts continually used loud profanities in the presence of police.

“He was observed by pedestrians and occupants of the Salt apartments,” Mr Fox said.

Mr Fox said Roberts failed to comply with a police caution in relation to his behaviour.

After a breath test was taken, Roberts returned a blood alcohol reading of .152.

A solicitor said Roberts was a single father of four and a self-employed builder of 20 years who worked at job sites across Central Queensland.

The solicitor said the offending was out of character for Roberts who, on the day, had clearly “lost concept” of how much alcohol he had consumed.

“He’s highly embarrassed about his behaviour and the fact that he’s here (in court) today,” the solicitor said.

“He can’t explain his behaviour other than to say that he’s ashamed of it.”

The solicitor went on to say that Roberts had “learnt a valuable lesson.”

Magistrate Jason Schubert noted that Roberts had a “minimal and somewhat dated criminal history” and no other drink-driving offences on his traffic history.

Mr Schubert fined Roberts $1500 and disqualified him from driving for seven months.

No criminal convictions were recorded.