Keith John Grant Woollam pleads guilty to disqualified driving in Noosa Magistrates Court

A commercial construction business boss and dad-of-six has faced Noosa Magistrates Court over a driving offence. Read what he had to say about the situation.

A commercial construction business boss who employs more than 200 staff has faced Noosa Magistrates Court for disqualified driving.

Keith John Grant Woollam, 56, of Sunshine Beach pleaded guilty on August 23, 2022, to one count of driving without a licence while disqualified by court order.

Magistrate Haydn Stjernqvist disqualified him from driving for two years.

Police prosecutor Phillip Stephens said police patrolling Eumundi-Noosa Rd in Doonan on July 15, 2022, noticed a vehicle pull into a Doonan service station and checks revealed the vehicle owner was unlicensed.

Sergeant Stephens said police spoke to the driver and confirmed it was Woollam who said he was disqualified from driving.

Keith John Grant Woollam outside the Noosa Courthouse on August 23, 2022.

The police prosecutor said checks confirmed the defendant had been disqualified for six months from June 6, 2022.

Defence lawyer Belinda Robinson said the dad-of-six started working at the commercial construction business in 1983 and became a director in the year 2000.

“He’s the director and owner of a commercial construction business with over 200 staff,” she said.

The lawyer said the defendant’s business had offices in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Mackay and Rockhampton and he averaged about 60,000km of travel a year.

The lawyer said Woollam’s wife of more than 20 years had a “debilitating neck problem” and on the day of the offending the defendant had pulled into the service station where he was intercepted by police.

“He’s remorseful, it’s an early plea, he understands there’s a mandatory minimum disqualification,” Ms Robinson said.

Woollam told the court it was a hard pill to swallow.

“When you spend your whole life driving and being all over the state, rallying kids to school, sporting events and everything like that you spend your life being in the car,” he said.

“Having your wings clipped, or whatever, is a big blow.”

Mr Stjernqvist fined the defendant $800 along with the disqualification.

“If you drive before you get your licence back, you’re going to get caught,” he said.

A conviction was recorded.