Proserpine and Bowen Magistrates Court drink and drug driving sentences handed down this week
A P-plater on meth, a man who smoked marijuana less than an hour before driving, and a teen who wrote off a $30,000 car – see who appeared in court.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Here’s who appeared in Bowen and Proserpine Magistrates Courts for sentencing.
1. Grant Terrence Jamieson of Jubilee Pocket pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.
Proserpine Magistrates Court heard the 53 year old blew 0.07 per cent in a roadside breath test on Main St, Proserpine after drinking four full strength beers on a fishing trip.
His solicitor Steven Hayles told the court his client had gotten a lift home from a friend, but had driven back to the fishing spot when he realised he had left something behind.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead issued a $500 fine, disqualified Jamieson’s licence for three months, and recorded a conviction.
Mr Muirhead granted the maintenance operator a C class work licence subject to conditions.
2. Gus William Ward of Mackay pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit.
The court heard the 19 year old blew 0.145 per cent after writing off his $32,000 LandCruiser in a single-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway at Bloomsbury on April 2.
Police prosecutor Jay Merchant told the court the P-plater had been driving home after drinking at a friend’s house when he veered off the road and down an embankment about 5am.
He was taken via ambulance to Proserpine Hospital, but escaped serious injury.
His solicitor Steven Hayles told the court his client had “issues with alcohol” and a previous drink-driving conviction, but said the incident had been a “wake up call”.
His sentence was a $1500 fine and 12 month licence disqualification. A conviction was recorded.
3. Leslie Ronald Raymond Teys pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit.
The court heard Teys drank six Carlton Draught stubbies before he was caught driving on Faust St, Proserpine about 12.45pm on April 24.
Breath testing returned a reading of 0.102 per cent.
His solicitor Peta Vernon told the court her client had consumed the drinks the previous night.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jay Merchant raised concerns over the “sheer number of times [Teys] has been to court for DUI”.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead issued a $800 fine, recorded a conviction, and disqualified Teys’ licence for five months.
He was granted a C class work licence.
4. Todd James Huntingford pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit and driving while disqualified on Beach Rd Cannonvale on March 30.
Though his BAC reading was on the lower end, at 0.066 per cent, two previous drink driving convictions meant Magistrate Ron Muirhead was required to impose a heavy penalty, and disqualified Huntingford’s licence for three years.
Representing himself, Huntingford told the court he realised he had “a problem” as his latest drink-driving offence occurred the day after his licence was disqualified for a similar offence.
“I don’t deserve a licence until I get my stuff together,” he said, adding that he had sought help for his alcohol issues, and his car keys were no longer in his possession.
Huntingford was issued a $2600 fine on top of the disqualification, and convictions were recorded.
5. Daniel Marton Twidale pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while cannabis was present in his blood or saliva, on March 5.
He was issued a $300 fine and three month licence disqualification.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead noted that Twidale had a 2018 conviction for the same offence, but reduced the fine amount because of the inconvenience of the drug analysis certificate not being ready by his first court date.
A conviction was recorded.
6. William Ronald Godfree Phipps pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.
The court heard Phipps drank two cans of rum and Coke, and three cans of Canadian Club and ginger ale before getting behind the wheel on Conder Parade, Midge Point on May 11.
A breath test returned a reading of 0.076 per cent.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead imposed a $500 fine and two month licence disqualification.
A conviction was recorded.
7. Myles Raymond Spencer pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while cannabis was present in his blood or saliva.
The court heard Spencer told police who stopped him in his vehicle on Coconut Grove, Airlie Beach on April 9 he had been “smoking weed” 40 minutes prior.
Police prosecutor sergeant Jay Merchant said Spencer told police he used marijuana because he suffered from lung disease and shoulder pains.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead said marijuana was “less serious than methamphetamine”.
He imposed a $400 fine, and a one month licence disqualification.
A conviction was recorded.
8. Nathan Russell Comallatti pleaded guilty to driving on a probationary or provisional licence while drugs were present in his blood or saliva.
Bowen Magistrates Court heard the P-plater was caught driving with methamphetamine and cannabis in his system on the Bruce Highway about 12.20am on April 24.
Police prosecutor sergeant Jay Merchant said Comallatti had previous convictions within the past five years for driving with cannabis in his system and drink driving.
He was fined $900 and his licence was disqualified for seven months.
A conviction was recorded.
9. Jose Labinghisa Madlangsakay pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit.
The court heard Madlangsakay was “unsteady on his feet” when he exited his vehicle upon being intercepted by police on East Gordon St, East Mackay at 1.55am on March 28.
Police prosecutor Jay Merchant said Madlangsakay admitted to drinking three to four beers before driving, and had a BAC of 0.125 per cent.
Representing himself, Madlangsakay told the court he had taken medication prior to drinking which had “boosted up [his] alcohol level”.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead imposed a $750 fine, disqualified Madlangsakay’s licence for four months, and recorded a conviction.
10. Grant Jeffrey Hill pleaded guilty to driving on a probationary or provisional licence while drugs were present in his blood or saliva.
The court heard Hill drove with methamphetamine and cannabis in his system on Mount Nutt Rd at Bowen on April 16.
Police prosecutor Jay Merchant said the 24 year old had a previous conviction for failing to supply a breath specimen, and had made no admissions to police at the time of his latest offence.
His solicitor Peta Vernon told the court “it is what it is”.
Magistrate Ron Muirhead disqualified Hill’s licence for 12 months, issued a $1200 fine and recorded a conviction.
Two men arrested for alleged brutal attack of fisherman
Mackay police have arrested two men following the alleged assault of a Sarina fisherman that left him with serious injuries requiring treatment in a Townsville hospital.
‘You take us for complete mugs’: Serial pest hit with $10k fine
A serial offender has claimed he’s seen the error in his ways and wants to go to rehabilitation after he was picked up on a six-month crime spree featuring dodgy cocaine.