NAME AND SHAME: Bowen’s drink and drug drivers face court

Magistrate reveals the dangerous chemicals found in illicit drugs as offenders front up to charges.

Motorists have pleaded guilty to driving while over the blood alcohol limit.

A MAGISTRATE asked a Bowen man whether he would drink Drain Aid or a dose of chlorine because those were ingredients that could be found in illicit drugs.

The questions came after Brody Clayton Anderson pleaded guilty at Bowen Magistrates Court last week to drug driving.

He was caught with traces of methamphetamine and MDMA in his saliva.

Anderson admitted to going out the weekend before he was caught in June and making the "bad decision" of buying capsules while drunk.

The 23-year-old man said he bought two capsules and assumed it was MDMA.

Magistrate James Morton told Anderson he was "dicing with his own health".

"These people that make this rubbish put all kinds of chemicals in them," Mr Morton said.

"Blokes like you want to come along and take it because you think it'll give you a buzz.

"Aren't you happy on the grog?"

Mr Morton invited Anderson to sit in the courtroom and see the long-term affects drug use could have on people, making them look ragged and worn out.

Anderson was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for three months. A conviction was recorded.

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'One too many' before driving

A Collinsville man has been told by a magistrate that "two drinks is one too many" when getting behind the wheel after he was caught driving over the alcohol limit.

Adrian Robert Best pleaded guilty in Bowen Magistrates Court to drink driving after recording a reading of 0.077.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said Best told police he had drunk four to six Great Northern beers over a few hours before driving.

Lawyer Peta Vernon told the court the 47-year-old man was a fitter by trade and worked in the mines for decades but had recently been employed at a wash plant.

"He had one too many beers before getting in his car and driving," Ms Vernon said.

Magistrate James Morton told Best he was old enough to know better and "two is one too many" before driving.

Best was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for one month with a conviction recorded.

$200 a week marijuana habit

A Bowen man admitted to smoking marijuana about two and a half hours before getting behind the wheel.

Brodie Paul Morgan tested positive for marijuana in his saliva in June when he was pulled up by police on Mt Nutt Rd.

He pleaded guilty to drug driving while on a learner, probationary or provisional licence.

Morgan, 25, told the Bowen Magistrates Court he spent about $200 a week on the drug and used it recreationally and to self-medicate.

He pleaded guilty last week to one count of drug driving.

"I'm in the process of being diagnosed with ADHD, seeing professionals about that and it's one of the things that's helped me in life," he said.

"I don't believe I'll need it when I'm on proper medication."

Morgan said he had recently found employment at a service station and knew it was stupid to get behind the wheel that day.

Magistrate James Morton fined Morgan $500 and disqualified him from driving for five months, with a conviction recorded.

 

 

Motorists have pleaded guilty to drug driving.

Two men old enough to know better

Two middle-aged Collinsville men have pleaded guilty to drug driving and been told by a magistrate drug taking was something he expected of "young fellas" but not older men.

The men appeared one after the other at Bowen Magistrates Court and both pleaded guilty to one count of drug driving.

Jason Eric Beauchamp, 48, was caught with methylamphetamine and marijuana in his saliva in June.

Lawyer Peta Vernon said Beauchamp had an "unenviable history" but there were no like offences on his record.

Magistrate James Morton told Beauchamp he was no longer a kid.

"I know Collinsville has a drug problem, like everywhere else," Mr Morton said.

"You're 48 years of age, this is what I expect from the kids, the young fellas."

Beauchamp was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for two months, with a conviction recorded.

Next up was Charles William Smith, who was caught with methylamphetamine in his saliva in June.

Lawyer Peta Vernon said the 58-year-old man had been working in professional cleaning.

Mr Morton asked Smith what he was doing taking the drugs, to which Smith replied that he was at a barbecue and smoked it.

The magistrate warned Smith he had now made himself known to Collinsville police.

"Mr Smith let this be a wake-up call to you because what you've done now is you've told the local authorities that you're a drug user," he said.

"It might feel like you're being harassed and that's your own doing because you've opened a can of worms."

Smith was also fined $450 and disqualified from driving for two months, with a conviction recorded.

 

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Home brew leads to drink drive charge

A young woman broke down in tears at Bowen Magistrates Court after being caught driving over the alcohol limit while on her P plates.

Kaylah Rose Ruddick pleaded guilty to one count of drink driving after returning a reading of 0.065 in June, telling the court she had drunk four to five glasses of home brew with her dad.

The 20-year-old Bowen farm worker said she got behind the wheel because she got a concerning phone call from her brother, but she knew she shouldn't have risked driving.

"I'm extremely ashamed that this has all happened," she said through tears.

"I understand that there will be a fine and having a licence is a privilege not a right."

Magistrate James Morton fined Ruddick $350 and disqualified her from driving for three months, with a conviction recorded.

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