Filip James Pelcl in court for repeated drink driving

A serial drink driver ‘chugged a bottle of rum’ before smashing his car through a fence and into a cow paddock near Kingaroy.

Filip James Pelcl pleaded guilty to driving without a license, driving a vehicle whilst over the middle alcohol limit but not over the high alcohol limit and obstructing a police officer.

A dog washer with an extensive drink driving history, who drunkenly smashed his car through a fence, was sentenced to jail by a Kingaroy magistrate on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Filip James Pelcl had been served with a two year driving ban a week prior before the incident.

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He pleaded guilty to driving without a licence, driving a vehicle whilst over the middle alcohol limit but not over the high alcohol limit and obstructing a police officer.

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Police prosecutor Barry Stevens told the court Pelcl, a dog washer, had an extensive drink driving history.

“He blew .122 in 2022 and 0.87 in 2021 and has a number of similar offences,” Sergeant Stevens said.

“Police were called to the scene following a single vehicle crash on November 14, 2022, at 1.50pm at River Road Kingaroy.

“It was a serious collision where the vehicle left the road and crashed through a fence surrounded by a cow paddock,” he said.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens told the court Pelcl had an extensive drink driving history.

The court heard after the incident Pelcl flagged down a nearby tip truck and vacated the scene before police arrival.

Sgt Stevens said police went to Pelcl’s home, where he made admissions to being involved while his speech was slurred and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

“He refused to give police a breath test and resisted, they had to use tactics to restrain him,” Sgt Stevens said.

“He said he had been drinking earlier in the day and had skolled a bottle of rum before police arrested him.

“The defendant has a very serious history and a term of imprisonment is warranted today.

“He has shown his contempt for himself and the safety of the community by continuing to drink and drive,” he said.

Defence lawyer Mandy Reid said Pelcl had a long term alcohol problem for four years.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said Pelcl’s three driving bans over the past four years were of great relevance.

“Since the last accident he has attended a large number of facilities and has not had any alcohol that’s shown from a QML pathology report,” Ms Reid said.

“He is remorseful for his actions and has made steps to accept he’s an alcoholic,” she said.

Magistrate Andrew Sinclair said Pelcl’s three driving bans over the past four years are of great relevance.

“You are an extreme danger to the public and you’ve allowed yourself, because of your alcohol problem, to keep driving,” Mr Sinclair said.

“It’s sheer luck you wiped your own vehicle out, could easily have led to tragedy.

“I’m convinced you need actual imprisonment to be punished...I hope it comes as a wake-up call,” he said.

Pelcl was sentenced to two months imprisonment to be suspended after one month for a period of two years, and he was disqualified from driving for six months.

For driving while disqualified he was disqualified from driving for another two years, on top of the existing disqualification.

“You won’t be eligible to drive for the better part of five years or more,” Mr Sinclair said.

Convictions were recorded.