Drivers punished in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for traffic offences
A number of motorists who got behind the wheel after using drugs, drinking or while unlicensed have been punished in Rockhampton courts. Here’s who they were.
Police & Courts
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Here are some of the motorists who pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court recently to their offending on Central Queensland roads.
Jake Robert Crow, 20, had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Moores Creek Road, Park Avenue, on April 17 at 11.28pm.
Crow pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 12.
Defence lawyer Dominic Jorgensen said his client, who worked at Rockhampton Hospital, was with friends the day before who were smoking marijuana and he gave into peer pressure.
Mr Jorgensen said his client did not feel intoxicated when he drove.
Crow was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for four months with a traffic conviction recorded.
Peter Graham Burst, 29, was unlicensed when he was intercepted driving along Brazil Street, Norman Gardens, on December 29, 2021.
Burst pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 12 to four counts of breach of bail condition, and one count each of failure to appear in accordance with undertaking and driving without a licence.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said checks of Bursts’ driver’s licence revealed he was disqualified in court on October 7, 2021.
Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client was sentenced to 15 months prison with immediate parole in Rockhampton District Court on June 21, where he pleaded guilty to five counts of supplying dangerous drugs, and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, possessing utensils or pipes that had been used, possessing weapons category M and possessing tainted property.
Ms Legrady said her client was 21 years old when he tried marijuana and methamphetamine.
“He found marijuana more addictive but they are no longer part of his life,” she said.
“He doesn’t want to go back to being involved in the drug scene at all.”
Burst was sentenced to six months’ prison with immediate parole.
He was also fined $1700 and disqualified from driving for two years with convictions recorded.
Kyle Alan Morris, 29, was caught driving along Roope Road, Midgee, on May 4 about 9am while his driver’s licence was demerit point suspended.
Morris pleaded guilty to the single unlicensed driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 12.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said checks revealed Morris’ driver’s licence was suspended from November 24, 2021 to May 23 due to the loss of demerit points.
Senior Constable Rowe said Morris told police he was unaware his driver’s licence was demerit point suspended and that he was test driving a client’s vehicle from DC Motors.
Morris told the court he calculated the six months but fell short by two weeks.
“I thought I had my licence but I clearly didn’t,” he said.
He was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months.
Edraki Zackery Megat, 21, was unlicensed when he was intercepted in the McDonald’s car park in Gracemere on June 29 about 11am.
Megat pleaded guilty to the single unlicensed driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 14.
Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said checks revealed Megat’s driver’s licence was disqualified in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 27 for six months.
Ms Bain said Megat apologised to police and said he was picking up his dog and aware his driver’s licence was disqualified.
Defence lawyer Mirren Smith said her client, who worked as a labourer, recognised it was a silly decision.
“He understands the reason he doesn’t have a licence is because he is not a safe driver and puts other people’s lives at risk on the road,” Ms Smith said.
Megat was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for two years.
Clarice Maree, 18, had marijuana in her system when she was intercepted driving along Moores Creek Road, Rockhampton, on May 3.
Maree pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15.
She was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for three months.
Sacha Neta Grace Comollatti, 24, had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) reading of .128 when she was involved in a single vehicle crash on Burke and Wills Drive, Gracemere on July 3 at 7.54pm.
Comollatti pleaded guilty to the single drink driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said on arrival at the scene of the crash, police saw extensive damage to hedges and a tree at a house on Burke and Wills Drive caused by the impact of Comollatti’s vehicle.
Sergeant Ongheen said a witness said they saw a woman exit the vehicle immediately following the crash.
He said the person accompanied police to an address on Jardine Court, Gracemere, and indicated to police the driver of the vehicle, who was Comollatti.
Comollatti told the court her “car slides out in the wet” and that she tried to correct it but wasn’t able to as she was under the influence of alcohol.
“I haven’t drunk since then and I refuse to drink,” she said.
She was fined $700 and disqualified from driving for six months.
Charles Paul Jowsey, 26, had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along the Bruce Highway, Raglan, on April 16 at 9.07am.
Jowsey pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15.
Jowsey said he had smoked marijuana to get to sleep.
“I’m staying off it because it’s not worth it,” he said.
He was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for one month with a traffic conviction recorded.
Logan Anthony Stormonth, 21, was unlicensed when he was intercepted driving along the Capricorn Highway, Kalapa, on May 25 at 8.10pm.
Stormonth pleaded guilty to the single unlicensed driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 15.
Police Prosecutor Sergeant Kevin Ongheen said checks revealed Stormonth’s driver’s licence was disqualified for three months from March 3.
Sergeant Ongheen said Stormonth told police he was travelling from work back to his home in Gladstone.
Defence lawyer Grant Cagney said his client was a light vehicle mechanic and completing a heavy diesel apprenticeship, which was the reason he was in regional areas.
“He says ordinarily he had a colleague who was driving him to his employment, unfortunately, that person took holidays and he was then required to travel back to complete another job in another town,” Mr Cagney said.
Stormonth was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for two years with a traffic conviction recorded.
Simone Therese Aldridge, 50, was unlicensed when she was intercepted driving along the Bruce Highway, Marmor, on June 18 about 2pm.
Aldridge pleaded guilty to the single unlicensed driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 18.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said Aldridge told police she did not possess a driver’s licence and that it was disqualified in court.
Senior Constable Rowe said checks revealed Aldridge’s driver’s licence was disqualified in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on April 27 for five months.
She said Aldridge further stated she was driving to pick up a friend who had broken down on the Bruce Highway.
Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said her client described her actions as an “idiotic decision”.
Aldridge was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for two years.
Branson James Harvey, 27, was caught driving along Gladstone Road, Allenstown, on June 18 at 12.50pm while his driver’s licence was State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) suspended.
Harvey pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 18 to one count each of driving without a licence SPER suspended and contravene direction or requirement of police.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said checks revealed Harvey’s driver’s licence was SPER suspended from May 22.
Senior Constable Rowe said Harvey told police he was aware of the suspension and had intended to sort it out that weekend.
She said Harvey further stated he was driving into Rockhampton to run some errands.
Harvey was issued with an identifying particulars notice to attend the Rockhampton Watchhouse within seven days to have his identifying particulars taken, which he failed to do.
Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said her client fixed up his SPER debt about 40 minutes after he was stopped by police.
Harvey was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for one month with a traffic conviction recorded but no criminal conviction was recorded.
Jason Ryan Wanstall, 26, had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Upper Dawson Road, Allenstown, on April 16 at 2.47pm and again when he was intercepted driving along East Street, Depot Hill, On May 10 at 1.10pm.
Wanstall pleaded guilty to the two drug driving charges in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 18.
Defence lawyer Ashley Reynolds said her client had lost his job as a mechanic.
“When the first drug drive came around they were willing to work with him as much as they could, but by the time the second one occurred they let him go,” Ms Reynolds said.
“They said there was no way they could be sure he would be a reliable employee.”
Ms Reynolds said her client had been recreationally using drugs and thought it would be out of his system by the time he was driving.
Wanstall was ordered to nine months’ probation and disqualified from driving for 11 months with traffic convictions recorded.
Ebony Liza Louise Smallwood, 20, had a BAC of .117 when she was intercepted driving along Musgrave Street, Rockhampton, on June 19 at 3.48am.
Smallwood pleaded guilty to the single drink driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 18.
Defence lawyer Ken Spinaze said his client, who worked as an eyelash technician, was apologetic for her behaviour.
“She realises she shouldn’t have committed this offence,” Mr Spinaze said.
Smallwood was fined $650 and disqualified from driving for six months with a traffic conviction recorded.
Cory Jim Warner, 24, had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Bolsover Street, Rockhampton, on May 21 at 5.48pm.
Warner pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 21.
Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said Warner, who worked at Hungry Jacks, told police he had smoked marijuana the previous evening.
Warner was fined $250 and disqualified from driving for one month.
Thomas James Goody, 44, had methamphetamine in his system when he was intercepted driving along Alma Street, Rockhampton, on December 15, 2021 at 5.40pm.
Goody was also caught driving along Vin E Jones Memorial Drive, Rosslyn, on June 12 about 1.50am while his driver’s licence was SPER suspended.
Goody pleaded guilty in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 21 to one count each of drug driving, driving without a licence SPER suspended and possessing dangerous drugs.
Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said during the intercept on December 15, 2021 Goody and his vehicle were detained for a search, where police found two clip seal bags containing 0.4g of meth inside a black bag on the front passenger seat.
Ms Bain said in relation to the second intercept checks revealed Goody’s driver’s licence was SPER suspended on April 22.
Defence lawyer Brandon Selic said at the end of 2021 his client was facing bankruptcy and the breakdown of his family and a friend gave him the drugs to help him relax.
“He understands it was foolish,” Mr Selic said.
Goody was ordered to a six-month good behaviour bond with a $400 recognisance and drug diversion.
He was also fined $650 and disqualified from driving for two months with traffic convictions recorded but no criminal conviction was recorded.
Kylie Maree Hatfield, 39, had methamphetamine in her system when she was intercepted driving along Elphinstone Street, Berserker, on April 15 at 2.10pm.
Hatfield pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 21.
Hatfield told the court she went through a recent marriage separation and near bankruptcy.
“I had to sell my home,” she said.
She was fined $900 and disqualified from driving for six months.
Zane Peter Glover, 43, was caught driving along East Street, Rockhampton, on June 22 at 2.40pm while his driver’s licence was SPER suspended.
Glover pleaded guilty to the single unlicensed driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.
Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said check’s revealed Glover’s driver’s licence was suspended from April 10.
Glover told the court he wasn’t aware his driver’s licence was suspended because he hadn’t changed his address.
“I actually don’t have an address to change it to,” he said.
Glover was fined $200 and disqualified from driving for one month.
Tenielle Maree Stock, 22, had marijuana in her system when she was intercepted driving along Musgrave Street, Rockhampton, on May 19 at 11.27pm.
Stock pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.
Stock told the court it was out of character.
She was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for one month with a traffic conviction recorded.
William James Mcleod, 60, had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Wandal Road, Wandal, on April 14 at 3.15pm.
Mcleod pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on July 22.
Police prosecutor Courtney Brown said Mcleod denied recent drug use to police.
Defence lawyer Rebecca Harris said her client had a tumour burst in his foot and had multiple operations over the years and was constantly in pain.
Ms Harris said her client used marijuana to ease his pain.
“It is only recently he realised he could go to a doctor to get a prescription for marijuana,” she said.
“He smoked marijuana two days prior and didn’t feel under the influence and drove because he didn’t think it would still be in his system.”
Mcleod was ordered to nine months probation and disqualified from driving for seven months with a traffic conviction recorded.
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