Meth user Aaron Shane Pinner suffers heart attack at 31

A magistrate has told a Central Queensland man to “wake up to himself” and “listen to his body” after a health scare almost cost him his life. He was also hit with a hefty penalty for his offending.

A magistrate has told a methamphetamine user to wake up to himself after he suffered a heart attack two weeks ago at the age of 31.

Aaron Shane Pinner pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on February 10 to drug-driving and driving while demerit point disqualified.

The court heard that Pinner was intercepted by police on December 4 last year on the Scenic Highway at Yeppoon.

A licence check showed Pinner was suspended until February 8, and after being taken to the police station for a saliva analysis, he returned a positive to methamphetamines.

Police Prosecutor Clancy Fox said Pinner told police that he had smoked meth earlier on the day he was intercepted.

The court heard that Pinner had drug offences on his criminal history from July last year and also 2019, as well as a previous drink-driving offence in 2017.

Solicitor Krissy Cummins said Pinner, whose mum was in court to support him, worked as a casual roofer and he suffered a heart attack two weeks before his court appearance and was flown to Brisbane.

“He said to me that was a huge wake-up call for him and he’s determined to change his life around even more now,” Ms Cummins said.

Ms Cummins said Pinner was currently off work and on medication for his heart.

“His heart is only working at 20 per cent at the moment,” she said.

Before handing down penalty, Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale had some advice for Pinner in relation to his heart attack.

“If the legal reasons for not using methamphetamines aren’t good enough, well your body is telling you as well,” Ms Beckinsale said.

“Wake up to yourself - it (meth) is a horrible drug.”

Ms Beckinsale fined Pinner $1000 and disqualified him from driving for nine months.