Matthew Ryan Forde fined for police defiance

A property salesman who claimed he was the “specimen of health and fitness” during a display of defiance failed to hide his boozy afternoon from police.

A Sunshine Coast property salesman whose smelly breath tipped police off to his boozy afternoon claimed he was a “specimen of health and fitness” after being pulled over, a court has heard.

Matthew Ryan Forde was fined $1000 in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide a specimen of breath on April 1, 2022.

Police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said police were doing random breath tests at a Coolum roundabout when they pulled over Forde at 9.20pm.

She said police could smell alcohol on the property salesman’s breath.

She said Forde failed to comply with police directions and continually blew incorrectly into the meter.

“He was blowing too softly into the meter,” she said.

After being arrested for failing to provide a specimen of breath, Forde was given another opportunity at the Coolum Watch House, but failed again.

He told police he had consumed alcohol but stopped drinking at 7.30pm.

“He stated to police even though he was a smoker he was in excellent shape and he was the specimen of health and fitness,” Constable Lambert said.

Matthew Ryan Forde was handed a $1000 fine in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to provide a specimen of breath on April 1 2022.

Constable Lambert said the offence was similar to the seriousness of driving under the influence and asked for Forde to be fined.

Matthew Forde’s Facebook page lists him as working for Noosa’s Forde Property.

The company's website states he works in the commercial sales and acquisitions department.

Duty solicitor Michael Robinson said the 25-year-old had enjoyed beers with a colleague before getting behind the wheel.

Mr Robinson said Forde was unable to explain why he failed to comply with the breath tests, but was compliant with other directions from police.

He said the Maroochydore man’s job would be affected if he was disqualified from driving and asked Magistrate Barry Barrett to consider a suspension that was handed to him on the day of the offence.

“As part of his employment he is required to show respective clients around various properties,” he said.

Mr Robinson asked for a fine and the minimum disqualification period of six months.

Mr Barrett considered the Forde’s lack of history and the period of his licence suspension when he disqualified him from driving for six months.

Forde Property was contacted for comment but declined.