Anthony Nasmyth pleads guilty to driving under the influence in Yandina IGA car park

A Sunshine Coast man nabbed drink-driving in an IGA car park has had his “deplorable” traffic history laid bare with five high-range offences in five years.

Anthony Neil Nasmyth faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court this week by video from custody. Picture: David Clark

A Palmwoods man could be the contender for one of the Sunshine Coast’s worst drink drivers, having clocked up a fifth high-range boozy offence in the past five years.

The Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard this week Anthony Neil Nasmyth’s latest drunken jaunt was discovered after he was found slumped over the steering wheel about 4pm at the IGA Yandina on August 17.

Acting Magistrate Raelene Ellis said a member of the public was alerted to the 51-year-old’s intoxication after seeing him drunk in his vehicle, which was parked halfway into a garden.

The court was told the witness believed Nasmyth had suffered a medical episode, however he stunk of alcohol.

Ms Ellis said Nasmyth’s car was seen at a Yandina address nearby police the same day, with officers speaking to a person.

Anthony Neil Nasmyth. Picture: Social media

She told police he was not at her home however a search of the property found Nasmyth hiding in a broom cupboard.

He later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.235 per cent, and spent 59 days in custody until this week where he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and driving while disqualified.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said this was Nasmyth’s fifth high-range drink-driving offence in as many years, previously returning other readings of 0.274, 0.275, 0.153 and one monster reading of 0.339.

Seasons IGA, Yandina. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

Sergeant Newman said this would be his seventh UIL offence all up, but has two previous driving with a blood-alcohol content, with the court hearing it went as far back as 2001. The police prosecutor labelled Nasmyth’s traffic record as “deplorable”.

Defence lawyer Michael Robinson said Nasmyth, who had worked in tree lopping, welding, and landscaping among other fields in his life, was instructed the 51-year-old went to the woman’s home to bring her medication as she rang him for help.

Mr Robinson said there was no crash, injury or damage to property with the drink-driving incident, and was instructed that the Palmwoods man was not dependent on alcohol.

Ms Ellis said it made matters worse that Nasmyth was only on parole for a month before he offended again, where he spent 168 days in custody prior.

The magistrate jailed Nasmyth for 15 months and set his parole eligibility date to January 16 next year.

She said she would only disqualify the 51-year-old from driving for three years to allow him to address his issues.