Kenneth John Ingall sentence for driving with drugs in his system

A Landsborough pensioner who was caught driving with crystal meth in his system on two occasions has been warned the drug could destroy his life.

A Landsborough pensioner caught driving with crystal meth in his system has been warned the drug could destroy his life after he was found with 3g of the drug in his pocket.

Kenneth John Ingall was fined $400 and disqualified from driving for four months after he pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous drug and driving with drugs in his system on two occasions.

Police prosecutor David Hoffman said Ingall was found to have methamphetamine in his system while driving a Mercedes on Cribb St in Landsborough on August 19 and on Duporth Ave in Maroochydore on September 6.

Senior Constable Hoffman said Ingall was searched on August 19 and a bag of the drug was found in his pocket.

Ingall admitted the there was around 3g of crystal meth in the bag.

The court heard he had no criminal history or relevant traffic history.

Duty lawyer Neesha Maidwell said the 66-year-old former executive of a corporation suffered severe depression and anxiety and started taking the drug after losing his mother in 2017.

“He instructs his mental health issues are so significant some days he can't even get out of bed, but is now engaged in a psychologist and a psychiatrist” she said.

The “family man” was embarrassed by his actions that were out of character.

Ms Maidwell said Ingall, who was a government pensioner, had removed himself from the drug crowd and was now properly medicated.

She suggested fines as an appropriate punishment but said a good behaviour bond could also be in range.

Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin said the amount of drugs found in Ingall’s possession was too high for him to be placed on a good behaviour bond.

Mr McLaughlin said Ingall’s behaviour being in court for a second time was “disappointing”.

“It’s showing disregard by you for other road users, that you would continue to do that after you had the wake up call,” he said.

Mr McLaughlin warned the drug would destroy the pensioner’s life.

“I see lots of people a lot younger or fitter than you or me who have been ravaged by methamphetamine,” he said.

“It does nothing for people's depression or anxiety other than make it worse, it turns people into wrecks, it’s the worst drug I’ve ever seen.”

He noted the drug was for Ingall’s personal use.

No conviction was recorded.