Shaun James Harrison pleads guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to drink driving and driving unlicensed

Police found hundreds of unread emails on a man’s phone after he claimed to not be aware he was suspended when on his way to buy more beers. Here’s all the details.

A Roma man told police he didn’t realise his drivers licence was suspended and that he wasn’t allowed to drink as one of the conditions, the court was told.

Shaun James Harrison pleaded guilty in Roma Magistrates Court to drink driving and driving unlicensed.

Police prosecutions said on February 17 police stopped a Toyota ute travelling along Station St, Roma for a random breath test and licence check.

Checks revealed Harrison was suspended due to not paying fines, however he told police he didn’t realise he was suspended despite admitting he doesn’t check his emails or mail.

When police searched his phone they found hundreds of unread emails.

Further, breath tests showed the defendant had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.043 and he was charged with drink driving, as driving with an alcohol reading of zero was a condition of his suspension.

Harrison admitted to police he had consumed two cans of XXXX beer at a friend’s house and was on his way to buy more beers.

“I know ignorance isn’t a form of defence, but I didn’t know I was suspended,” Harrison said.

“I didn’t realise I was on a zero (condition).”

Magistrate Shane Elliott said he understood Harrison’s reasoning.

“I certainly accept everything you’ve said today that you didn’t know about the SPER suspension and you’re not the first person to not realise that you must be zero on a prohibited licence,” he said.

“I’ll reduce the fine because I can’t reduce the disqualification. I’m not allowed, the law says a minimum three months (disqualification).”

Harrison was fined $200 and given a one month disqualification for the SPER suspended driving charge and a three month disqualification for the drink driving charge. A conviction was recorded.