Whitsunday drink and drug drivers face Proserpine and Bowen courts
A skipper having a few too many schooners before going behind the wheel is among the latest people facing court for drink or drug driving on Whitsunday roads. DETAILS
Police & Courts
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From a skipper having a few too many schooners before getting behind the wheel to a father of four who was speeding with drugs in his system on his way to work, here are the latest stories of Whitsunday drink and drug drivers.
Convictions recorded
Michael James Pennaertz, 39
A Whitsundays man was busted with a cocktail of drugs in his system when he was stopped on Shute Harbour Rd at Jubilee Pocket on October 17.
Police arrested Michael James Pennaertz after their alarm went off to indicate the vehicle was unregistered.
Prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told the court Pennaertz tested positive to having marijuana and methylamphetamine in his system.
Ms Myors said his licence had been expired since October 6.
Pennaertz told the court he did not know his licence had expired and had not received any mail from the Department of Transport as he had moved to a new address.
Magistrate Michelle Howard told him it was his responsibility to update the department of such details.
Pennaertz pleaded guilty in Proserpine Magistrates Court to drug driving and to driving an unregistered vehicle.
He was fined $700 and his licence was disqualified for a month.
Convictions were recorded.
Brandon Michael Barrett, 30
A father of four and contract wallmaker was caught drug driving on his way to work on October 16.
Brandon Michael Barrett had been speeding at more than 20km the legal limit on the Bruce Highway near Gunyarra.
Police arrest Barrett who tested positive for methylamphetamine and marijuana.
Prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said Barrett had denied taking any drugs but instead told police he took tablets that could have contained drug-related components.
The Midge Point resident told the court he had gotten a last minute call to work and that was why he had been speeding.
He also told the court he had only consumed drugs the weekend before when catching up with long-time friends.
Magistrate Michelle Howard told Barrett he was lucky there were not any “bad consequences for his actions” on that day.
Barrett pleaded guilty in Proserpine Magistrates Court to drug driving and speeding.
She fined him $750 and his licence was disqualified for one month.
Convictions were recorded.
John Robert Selkrig, 49
A skipper was caught behind the wheel after a night at the pub and a few too many schooners of beer.
John Robert Selkrig was twice the legal alcohol limit when he was arrested on Herbert St, Bowen on November 10.
Prosecutor Lachlan Perry said Selkrig had told police he had consumed five or six schooners of beer at the Bowen Hotel before driving.
His blood alcohol concentration was 0.109.
Mr Perry told the court Selkrig had been disqualified from driving for similar reasons three times, with the most recent in 2021.
“I’m already feeling the effects of my stupidity,” Selkrig told Magistrate Michelle Howard about his difficulties to get to work in Airlie Beach.
Selkrig pleaded guilty in Bowen Magistrates Court to drink driving.
He was fined $800 and his licence was disqualified for four months.
A conviction was recorded.
Convictions not recorded:
Jake Raymond Upston, 18
An apprentice builder was caught behind the wheel in his underwear and with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 on October 28.
Jake Raymond Upston was driving on a provisional licence along Hook Cl in Cannonvale after 1am, when police arrested him after officers followed him for “his manner of driving”.
Solicitor Peta Vernon told the court Mr Upston had only been driving because a friend asked him to pick him up.
Ms Vernon asked Magistrate Michelle Howard not to record a conviction because Upston had no previous traffic history.
Upston pleaded guilty in Proserpine Magistrates Court to drink driving.
He was fined $350 and his licence was disqualified for three months.
Christopher David Booroff, 34
Christopher David Booroff was caught drug driving with methylamphetamine and MDMA in his system on September 15.
Booroff, who was self-represented, pleaded guilty in Proserpine Magistrates Court to drug driving on Cathu O’Connell River Rd at Yalboroo.
Prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors told the court Booroff had told officers the last time he had smoked marijuana was a week before his arrest.
Mr Booroff asked Magistrate Michelle Howard not to record a conviction as he was concerned of future employment prospects.
Ms Howard agreed as he had no prior relevant history.
Booroff was fined $350 and his licence disqualified for one month.
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