Seven drink drivers sentenced at Maroochydore court
A former soldier’s hostile confrontation with police and a carpenter’s tavern chase highlight the dangerous decisions that landed seven drink-drivers in Maroochydore court.
An ex-army member and an apprentice carpenter are among the eight drink-drivers who faced the consequences of their actions in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Raelene Ellis sentenced drivers on Tuesday, November 25.
See the list:
Ryan Harold Brown
Ryan Harold Brown pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit and he represented himself.
Police pulled his BMW hatchback over on Thursday, November 6, at 8.30pm in relation to another offence.
He was breath-tested and later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.068 per cent — over two times the legal limit.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Leonie Scott told the court Brown said he drank a large glass of wine at a work function.
He told the court he had a long shift that day and expressed remorse for his actions.
“It was the end of a very busy shift, a 15-hour shift,” he said.
“I regret it, and I’m concerned about the future. I have lots of family commitments.”
The 45-year-old has a one-page traffic history with “lots of speeding”.
He was fined $450 and disqualified for one month.
A conviction was recorded.
Thomas John James Byrne
Thomas John James Byrne consumed multiple alcoholic drinks the night before he was caught drink-driving.
Mr Byrne was driving in Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba, at 6.49am on Sunday, October 12, when police intercepted him for a roadside breath test.
The 46-year-old was self-represented and he pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Leonie Scott said Byrne told police he drank four or five schooners, four stubbies of beer, and had three shots of tequila between 4.30pm and 9.30pm the previous night.
He returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.089 per cent — almost two times more than the legal alcohol limit.
He was fined $500 and disqualified for one month.
A conviction was recorded.
Ozgur Cetin
Noosa chef Ozgur Cetin told the court he was working on himself as he pleaded guilty to driving over the middle alcohol limit.
The court heard Cetin had two vodka shots before driving on Saturday, October 4, at 10.40pm.
He was driving in Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba, when he tested positive for a roadside breath test.
He later returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.143 per cent.
He told the court he wanted to improve himself before he drives again.
“I’m so sorry,” he said.
“I don’t want to drive until I fix my mental health and alcohol problem.”
The 47-year-old told the court he has been catching the bus to work since the incident.
He was fined $750 and disqualified for five months.
A conviction was recorded.
Amy Louise Kinniburgh
Hospitality worker Amy Louise Kinniburgh self-represented as she pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.
Kinniburgh was driving her Hyundai hatchback in Maroochydore on Friday, October 24, when she tested positive for a roadside breath test.
The 33-year-old admitted to drinking and later returned a result of 0.056 per cent.
She was fined $350 and disqualified for one month.
A conviction was recorded.
Joshua Stephen Sale
Retail worker Joshua Stephen Sale told the court he was “embarrassed” as he pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.
The 39-year-old was charged with drink-driving on Monday, October 27, after driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.054 per cent.
At 7pm on Alexander Pde, Mooloolaba, he tested positive to an RBT.
He told the court he was “angry” about the “miscalculation”.
He was fined $350 and disqualified for one month.
A conviction was recorded.
Michael James Laybutt
Michael James Laybutt triggered a police chase after he fled a tavern and began driving under the influence.
The court heard Laybutt exited the Brightwater Tavern and had an altercation with another man before he jumped in his Isuzu ute and drove in Kawana Way on October 31.
The 27-year-old self-represented as he pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving.
The apprentice carpenter reportedly said, “You got me”, to the police when pulled over.
He was taken for further breath analysis about 4.35pm, and he showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.162 — over three times the legal limit.
Magistrate Raelene Ellis said his behaviour was unacceptable.
“It was pm in the afternoon, your driving did endanger the safety of our community,” she said.
He was fined $1500 and disqualified for six months.
A conviction was recorded.
Raymond Regonald Tilley
The court heard former army member Raymond Regonald Tilley was “hostile” towards police when he was caught drunk while driving to the bottle shop.
Tilley’s lawyer, Sarah Knight, spoke on his behalf as he pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving and refusing to provide a specimen.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Leonie Scott said Tilley told police he “pulled over because he was too drunk to drive”.
Officers were patrolling Maroochydore when they saw Tilley stumble out of his car at 8.49pm.
The court heard he began “verbally abusing” police when they approached him.
He failed to provide a specimen for further analysis initially, but later showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.211 per cent — more than four times the legal limit.
Magistrate Raelene Ellis said the 60-year-old was currently on parole for another offence.
Ms Ellis said he risked imprisonment.
He was fined $1000 and disqualified for 15 months.
A conviction was recorded.
