Paul Michael Randall convicted for mid-range drink driving in Toowoomba Magistrates Court

A scotch and lemonade while watching a horse race an hour before getting behind the wheel was still enough for a Darling Downs man to lose his licence.

After not eating for two days while trying to lose weight for his job as a jockey, one scotch and lemonade was all it took for a Highfields man to lose his licence.

Paul Michael Randall, 41, faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving.

The court was told police were conducting random breath tests at Highfields about 9.55pm on September 11 when Randall’s vehicle was stopped.

Police prosecutor Cameron Francis said Randall told police he had one drink, a scotch and lemonade, while watching a horse race about an hour before getting behind the wheel. The court was told Randall blew 0.143.

Randall, who represented himself in court, said he accepted the consequences of his actions, but was surprised that one drink was enough for that high a breath test result.

“I literally only did have one drink that night watching a race. I hadn’t eaten for two days, I’m a jockey by trade, and I honestly don’t understand why my reading was so high an hour after I had a drink,” Randall said.

“Not having any food in my system did play a part. I do have three kids and I do live out of town and I’ve just done a 12 month suspension so I certainly learnt my lesson but obviously didn’t learn it good enough.”

Magistrate Howard Osborne convicted Randall and disqualified him from driving for three months. Randall was also fined $600.

Originally published as Paul Michael Randall convicted for mid-range drink driving in Toowoomba Magistrates Court