Andrew David Muirhead in court: Sharon Cuthbert’s killer faces new charges

The man responsible for a horrific car accident in 2017 that killed a much-loved Coolum mum has found himself in court again for driving while disqualified. Read his excuse:

A Eumundi arborist has appeared in court on driving charges three years after he was convicted of killing Coolum mother-of-two Sharon Cuthbert in a horrific 2017 crash outside her own home.

Andrew David Muirhead, now 43, was sentenced in 2019 for the fatal incident where he pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Muirhead was found to have traces of methamphetamine in his system and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.034 when driving but there was no allegation that had contributed to the crash.

The 43-year-old father was given three and a half years’ prison imprisonment at the time, with parole eligibility after 12 months.

The court outcome sparked community outrage and a petition was released by MP Dan Purdie for the state to appeal the sentence.

The push by Queensland’s Attorney-General to increase the jail term ended up being dismissed, but Muirhead found himself back in court this week.

Muirhead was disqualified from driving for five years in 2019 and on March 20, 2022, he made the decision to get behind the wheel.

Police prosecutor Alison Johnstone said officers caught the father driving during a random breath test near Cooroy at 7.42pm.

“He is on parole for the dangerous operation causing death which is an aggravating factor,” Sergeant Johnstone said.

Sharon Cuthbert was remembered as a kind and loving woman after her tragic death.

Solicitor Matthew Cooper said his client was home alone and had no food or transport.

“He made the foolish decision to drive to purchase food … he told me the drive was 10 minutes,” Mr Cooper said.

“(My client) remains deeply remorseful for the incident in 2017, he has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of that incident.”

Muirhead pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified in Noosa Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist fined Muirhead $900 and disqualified him from driving for two years.

Michael Cuthbert and wife Sharon with daughters Shylah, Makayla, from around 2015, on the Sunshine Coast.