Sherriden Hall faces Roma Magistrates Court, pleads guilty to low range drink driving

A 20-year-old woman was spotted by police leaving a popular hotel and jumping behind the wheel. What happened next has meant she will be off the road for a number of months. Here’s what happened in court.

A Roma woman won’t be able to visit her family for at least three months after she made the costly decision to drive home after a session drinking at a Roma pub.

Sherriden Hall spent the evening of October 8 at the Commonwealth Hotel drinking vodka oranges before she was spotted by police leaving the pub, jumping straight behind the wheel and driving off, Roma Magistrates Court was told.

The 20-year-old pulled over on Station Street after noticing police following her car, where they then conducted a roadside breath test which returned a positive reading.

Police prosecutor Matthew Donnolley told the court Hall’s blood alcohol concentration was confirmed at 0.088 after she was taken to the Roma Police Station for further questioning.

Hall pleaded guilty to drink driving over the general alcohol limit but still under the middle alcohol limit while holding a provisional licence.

Mr Donnolley told the court Hall was the only occupant of the vehicle and that she had no reason for driving while under the influence.

Magistrate Shane Elliott said he acknowledged her limited traffic history and the character reference he received.

The magistrate disqualified Hall’s drivers licence for three months and handed her a $350 fine.

“Really, that was your choice,” he said.

“I’m sure on reflection, you would have got a taxi or walked or did something else.

“Obviously, now you’re not going to be able to travel to Brisbane for the next three months at least and see the family.”