‘Terrible’ business decision lands Conquer Fitness owner Christian Sutton in hot water with police

The owner of a number of gyms and supplement stores across South East Queensland found himself in hot water with the law after he was pulled over north of Toowoomba. Here’s why.

Conquer Fitness owner Christian Sutton had to front Toowoomba Court in January 2024, after he was pulled over driving on a demerit point suspended licence. Picture: Social media

The Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard a “terrible business decision” regarding company vehicles landed the owner of Conquer Fitness in hot water with the law after he was caught driving on a suspended licence.

Christian Alexander Sutton fronted court on Monday, January 15, and told Magistrate Louise Shephard he had no idea his licence was suspended when police pulled him over at Glenaven, north of Toowoomba.

“Unfortunately all of my vehicles are registered in my personal name for my business,” he told the court.

“Over the course of the year, other team members have been driving the vehicles and they incurred fines.

Conquer Fitness owner Christian Sutton had to front Toowoomba Court in January 2024, after he was pulled over driving on a demerit point suspended licence. Picture: Social media

“The process in my business is that (the fines) go directly to my accounts team and they then pay the fines so there is no issue but the points are obviously allocated to my licence which I was unaware of.

“Since then I have rectified that.”

Police prosecutor Kinsley Weir said Sutton was charged with driving on a demerit point suspended licence on December 6, 2023, after officers pulled him over along the New England Highway.

“His open driver’s licence was demerit point suspended from November 2023 through to March 2024,” she said.

“This offence does however come with a mandatory disqualification period of six months.”

Sutton told the court he owned a multitude of different businesses within the fitness sector which included owning personal training studios, gyms, and supplement stores across South East Queensland.

“I’m constantly travelling between each location,” he said.

Conquer Fitness owner Christian Sutton fronted Toowoomba court on Monday, January 15, and pleaded guilty to driving unlicensed.

Magistrate Shephard asked Sutton if he could continue to run his businesses without a driver’s licence, and Sutton said “yes,” but “to a certain degree”.

Ms Shephard said she accepted Sutton did not knowingly drive while unlicensed.

“Unfortunately it was a terrible business decision… how you structured things and rather obviously I’m sure in hindsight as to the risk that you were creating but you (have now) put things in place to rectify that position,” she said.

“I note… you have nothing of a like nature (on your traffic record, so) I’m exercising my discretion today to not record a conviction.

“I’m not imposing any kind of fine… but I must disqualify you.”

Sutton pleaded guilty to driving while demerit point suspended and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence until June 15, 2024.

Originally published as ‘Terrible’ business decision lands Conquer Fitness owner Christian Sutton in hot water with police