Motorists in Rockhampton Magistrates Court for drink or drug driving

From a dad busted driving with meth and marijuana in his system to a carpenter caught behind the wheel more than four times over the legal alcohol limit, these are some drink and drug drivers who have fronted court in Rockhampton recently.

Motorists who have fronted Rockhampton Magistrates Court over the past three weeks for drink or drug driving.

From a father of three busted driving with methamphetamine and marijuana in his system to a carpenter caught behind the wheel more than four times the legal limit, here’s a list of those who have fronted Rockhampton Magistrates Court over the past three weeks for drink or drug driving.

DRUG DRIVING

GREGORY RONALD ROGINSON, 50

Gregory Ronald Roginson.

Roginson had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted while driving along Norman Rd, Norman Gardens, about 5.35pm on March 31.

He also had meth and marijuana in his system in his system when he was again intercepted while driving in Zilzie about 12.34pm on April 11.

Defence lawyer Pierre Lammersdorf said substance abuse issues were still something that plagued his client, who had three children.

“My client is certainly someone who is now trying to abstain from breaking the law,” he said.

Roginson pleaded guilty to two counts of drug driving.

He was ordered to nine months probation and was disqualified from driving for six months.

CONVICTIONS RECORDED

ROBERT JAMES SAM

Robert Sam.

Sam had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving in Gracemere on April 27.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said Sam had told police that he had not recently taken any drugs.

Sam told the court he did not have a problem with drugs.

He pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge.

He was fined $450 and was disqualified from driving for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

STEVEN KEITH MCMEEKEN

Mcmeeken had meth and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along the Capricorn Highway at Westwood at 4pm on May 18.

Mcmeeken told the court he was not a regular drug user.

He pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge.

He was fined $300 and was disqualified from driving for one month.

A conviction was recorded.

TYLER JAE WARREN, 24

Warren had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving in Rockhampton on March 31.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said Warren had removed drugs from his life completely.

“He does not want to touch cannabis again,” she said.

Warren pleaded guilty to the single drug driving charge.

He was fined $500 and was disqualified from driving for six months.

A conviction was recorded.

RUSSELL DAVID HARDY, 42

Hardy had meth and marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along High St, Berserker, on March 28 at 2.55pm.

Police prosecutor Clancy Fox said Hardy denied illicit drug use.

Mr Fox said Hardy had also breached his bail between June 13 and 20 by failing to report to police on two occasions.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client was on a waitlist to get into rehabilitation.

Hardy pleaded guilty to drug driving and breaching his bail.

He was fined $1300 and was disqualified from driving for nine months.

Convictions were recorded.

SHERWIN MICHEAL CONWAY, 21

Sherwin Conway.

Conway had marijuana in his system when he was intercepted driving along Norman Rd, Norman Gardens, about 6.07pm on May 3.

Police prosecutor Brendon Selic said Conway’s driver’s licence was disqualified from March 26.

Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said it was about eight weeks since his client last consumed marijuana.

Mr Gimbert said his client was running an errand for his mother and was only a month away from having his licence back.

Conway pleaded guilty to one count each of drug driving and driving without a licence disqualified by a court order.

He was fined $800 and was disqualified from driving for two years and three months.

Convictions were recorded.

DRINK DRIVING

LEANNE MICHELLE ROBINSON, 52

Robinson had a BAC of .171 when she was intercepted driving along Emu Park Rd, Lakes Creek, on June 14.

Defence lawyer Grant Cagney said his client had planned to be driven to a camping trip by her partner and his friend.

“That is why she continued to drink wine that day, because she was not intending to drive,” he said.

“Unfortunately, that lift fell through.

“They had picked up someone else.

“She did stop drinking around lunch time and drank water in an attempt to not be over the limit.”

Robinson pleaded guilty to the single driving under the influence charge.

She was fined $900 and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

CONVICTIONS RECORDED

TRENT BRADLEY WHITE, 22

White had a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .202 when he was driving along Yeppoon Rd at Mulara at 1.15pm on June 23 and drove into the car in front of him.

Police prosecutor Claudia Neill-Ballantine said the driver called police about the crash and stated the other driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.

Ms Neill-Ballantine said police attended and spoke to White, who appeared to be unsteady on his feet, smelt of alcohol and was slurring his words.

She said police saw a number of empty alcohol containers in the rear of his car.

She said White told police he had been drinking and had only had one hour sleep and was heading home to Rockhampton.

Defence lawyer Rebecca Harris said her client, who worked as a carpenter, had engaged with Lives Lived Well shortly after the offence.

“His parents live on a cattle property at Alpha and at the end of the month Mr White intends to relocate back there for a fresh start and to get out of the region where he is more likely to engage in alcohol consumption,” she said.

White pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and driving without due care and attention.

He was ordered to 12 months probation and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

Convictions were recorded.

JAMIE ALLAN MCLEOD, 26

Mcleod had a BAC of .092 when he was intercepted driving along the Capricorn Highway at Fairy Bower on June 22 at 7.13pm.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Sarah Rowe said Mcleod told police he had consumed three bottles of Great Northern beer between 1.30pm and 6.30pm.

Defence lawyer Samantha Legrady said her client was extremely embarrassed and remorseful.

“He would like the court to know he is extremely sorry for his actions,” she said.

Mcleod was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

ASHLEY JAMES GEIGER

Geiger had a BAC of .075 when he was intercepted driving along East St, Rockhampton, at 7.51pm on June 21.

Police prosecutor Brendon Selic said Geiger had consumed three cans of Great Northern beer about 40 minutes before he began driving.

Geiger told the court he wasn’t thinking when he committed the offence.

He pleaded guilty to the single drink driving charge.

He was fined $500 and was disqualified from driving for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

SOLOMON FALEKA

Faleka had a BAC .055 when he was intercepted driving along Diplock St, Rockhampton City, about 1.28am on July 6.

Police prosecutor Brendon Selic said Faleka had a Solomon Islands driver’s licence and told police he was driving his friends to the Zodiac Nightclub.

Defence lawyer Pierre Lammersdorf said his client was born and raised in the Solomon Islands and worked at the meatworks.

Mr Lammersdorf said his client had about six to seven beers at home and then decided to drive his friends to the Zodiac Nightclub.

Faleka pleaded guilty to the single drink driving charge.

He was fined $300 and was disqualified from driving for one month.

A conviction was recorded.