Seth James Mathie pleads guilty in Warwick Magistrates Court to mid range drink driving charge

A magistrate has called out a 21-year-old contractor after he was stopped by police more than twice the legal limit, saying he had ‘learnt nothing’ from his previous court appearance for similar offending. Read the magistrate’s harsh words.

The decision to get behind the wheel the morning after a big night has landed a Warwick man in court, charged with drink driving for the second time this year.

Seth James Mathie was driving on Albert Street about 7.30am on September 24 when he was intercepted by police, Warwick Magistrates Court was told.

The 21-year-old, who had drinking the previous night, returned a positive roadside breath test, and later recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.135.

The court heard Mathie was also unlicensed and had not obtained a new licence after a previous suspension in April.

In total Mathie pleaded guilty to driving over the middle alcohol limit and driving without a licence.

Defence lawyer Sarah Campbell said her client was a building contractor who worked interstate and that after his hard work wanted to unwind and drink with friends.

“There’s a degree of immaturity and lack of insight which can be dealt with ongoing counselling,” Ms Campbell said.

Magistrate Virginia Sturgess had harsh words to say following Mathie’s third court appearance in a year saying that “it should be obvious” that it was unacceptable to get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

“You’ve learnt nothing since your last appearance in April,” she said.

“Yes, you’re young, but that’s no excuse. It’s the end of any more opportunities, you have had trouble complying with road rules.”

Mathie was released on probation for 12 months, with convictions recorded and received a 11 month disqualification from driving.