Sunshine Coast drink drivers: Four high range drink drivers sentenced in Maroochydore Magistrates Court

A 22-year-old woman who allegedly clipped a pedestrian while drunk was just one of the Sunshine Coast’s drink drivers busted by police for their boozed up trips behind the wheel.

From a 22-year-old woman who allegedly clipped a pedestrian while drunk to a 46-year-old man driving on a suspended licence hours after being arrested for drink driving, these are some of the Sunshine Coast’s drink drivers exposed.

CONVICTED

Lovelyn Daki

Punters in Maroochydore received the fright of their lives after a Sippy Downs woman drunkenly drove near them, allegedly clipping one unlucky patron.

Security guards saw Lovelyn Daki, 22, driving all over the road at the Duporth Tavern about 2.45am on October 4.

Court documents revealed when the restaurant worker heard police had been called, she drove down a driveway and allegedly clipped a man walking on the footpath.

Security told police the man was uninjured and had left before police could take his details.

The woman’s car was found a short time later when police spoke to Daki, who was seen to be unsteady on her feet and “could not string a sentence together”, according to court documents.

She was arrested and returned a reading of 0.179 per cent and later told police she had drunk several cocktails while watching the NRL Grand Final.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard she was driving on a disqualified licence.

Daki pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving while disqualified and was fined $1700 and disqualified from driving for two and a half years.

Jonathon Michael McCarthy

Jonathon Michael McCarthy.

A Mooloolah Valley man who told police he was trying to get home was found in his car extremely drunk with his keys in his car’s ignition in Palmview.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard Jonathon Michael McCarthy, 32, was in a stationary car along the side of the road on Peter Crosby Way about 1am on October 2, and was seen to have his keys in his ignition with his lights on.

Police prosecutor Stu Lydford said the shopfitter returned a blood-alcohol content of 0.175 per cent.

McCarthy pleaded guilty to drink driving while in charge of a vehicle and was fined $1000 and disqualified for 10 months.

Tane John Patara

A Peregian Springs tradie might have to employ some more workers after he had his licence disqualified for a year following a high range drink drive in Coolum Beach.

Tane John Patara, 43, was intercepted along Park Crescent about 12.30am on October 16, and told police “I’m gonna (sic) be honest, I’ve been drink driving”.

The plumber returned a blood-alcohol content of 0.210 per cent, with Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin praising Patara for at least “being honest”.

Patara told Maroochydore Magistrates Court he owned his own business, and didn’t have an apprentice to drive him around.

He pleaded guilty to drink driving and was fined $1200 and disqualified for one year.

Andrew Holt

Andrew Holt.

A Coolum Beach man might have to return to the United Kingdom after he lost his licence for two years.

Andrew Holt, 46, was pinned along David Low Way in Coolum Beach about midnight on August 27, where he returned a high reading roadside.

Police prosecutor Stu Lydford said he was detained for a second test at Coolum police station, where he failed to provide a sample of breath.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard the charge for failing to provide a specimen of breath was dropped by police and instead they opted for driving under the influence of liquor.

Sergeant Lydford said the UK-born resident was lodged at the watch house that night and left in the morning after he had his licence suspended.

The court heard Holt then hopped into his car about 11am outside the Coolum Beach Surf Club.

Holt told the court he was a parent but may have to return to the UK if he can’t drive for work.

He pleaded guilty to drink driving and driving on a suspended licence, was fined $1200 and disqualified for two years.