Lachlan James Bankart in court for drink driving

A former Sunshine Coast high school sports captain has pleaded guilty to drink driving, but wasn’t caught in the conventional manner.

Lachlan James Bankart, 24. Photo: Social media

A former Sunshine Coast high school sports captain has fronted court after he was caught drunk in the driver’s seat of his car outside a friend’s house.

Lachlan James Bankart, 24, faced the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday, February 12, after he blew more than 0.05 but less than 0.1 on January 27.

The court was told Bankart was found in the driver’s seat of his car, which was parked outside a friend’s property and had the keys in the ignition.

Defence lawyer Chelsea Emery said it was not her client’s intention to drive that night and CCTV footage showed him “sleeping (the alcohol) off” in the front seat of the car.

She said the engine was turned on because he was charging his phone, but he now recognised he did the wrong thing.

The court was told Bankart was school captain at his primary school and made sports captain at his high school.

Ms Emery said two references, tendered to the court, spoke very highly of her client.

Bankart pleaded guilty to one charge of driving over the general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.

He was fined $300 and disqualified from driving for six weeks.

A conviction was not recorded.