See the people fined for driving-related offences in Townsville court

From a woman speeding away from police through a red light, to a learner driver getting caught drink driving – see who was fined in Townsville Magistrates Court this week.

FROM a woman speeding away from police through a red light, to a learner driver getting caught drink driving – see who was fined in Townsville Magistrates Court this week.

Riley Vincent Barton:

Barton appeared unrepresented and pleaded guilty in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday to a single charge of driving while over the middle alcohol limit while holding a probationary licence.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Angela Goodwin told the court Barton had been stopped by police during a random interception on October 23.

A blood-alcohol content of .125 was recorded.

Speaking to Magistrate Peter Smid, Barton said he had paid for his actions and had lost his job at the coal mines.

Barton was fined $700 and disqualified from driving for eight months.

A conviction was recorded.

Riley Barton was fined $700 in Townsville Magistrates Court for drink driving.

Matthew Robert Miller:

Miller pleaded guilty by phone to driving over the middle alcohol limit on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Angela Goodwin said Miller had recorded a blood-alcohol content of .135.

Defence lawyer Anderson Telford said Miller had not driven for two weeks, and noted while Miller had traffic history, it was not for similar offending.

Magistrate Peter Smid asked what had “possessed” Miller to get behind the wheel after drinking, to which Mr Telford said it was a “momentary lapse in judgment”.

He said his client regretted his actions.

Miller was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for six months.

A conviction was recorded.

Tamika Kirsten Edwards:

Edwards was brought to Townsville Magistrates Court for evading police and stopping on a red traffic light – proceed before change to green.

She pleaded guilty to both charges before Magistrate Ken Taylor on Monday.

Police prosecutor Sophie Roseby told the court police had spotted Edwards driving in Victoria St, Mackay, on June 20.

They turned on their lights and sirens but Edwards did not slow down or stop.

She turned a corner and kept driving away from police, until she reached a set of traffic lights at the end of a long road.

Ms Roseby said Edwards indicated left, right and then left again before “accelerating sharply” through the red light, turning right.

When questioning Edwards three months later, she admitted she didn’t stop because she was “scared” and because she was on a learner’s licence.

Edwards’ lawyer said she had been “apprehensive” about getting in “trouble” and the experience had been a “waking up call”.

The court heard Edwards had never been in trouble with the law before and had no criminal history.

Edwards was fined a total of $7092.50 and was disqualified from driving for two years.

No conviction was recorded.

Jake Peter Wilson:

Wilson pleaded guilty on Thursday to drive motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit while holding a learner’s licence and driving a motor vehicle without a driver's licence.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Erin Collis told the court Wilson had been pulled over by officers in Stella St, Kelso at 1.01am on October 21.

When Wilson showed officers his licence, they discovered he was a learner driver and the licence had been expired since August 31.

Wilson told police he knew his licence had expired, but gave no reason as to why he had not renewed it.

A blood alcohol reading of .111 was recorded.

Wilson told Magistrate Ken Taylor he worked in hospitality.

Mr Taylor said Wilson’s traffic history was “unremarkable” and while he wouldn’t lose his job but having no licence would make it difficult to get to work.

“It goes without saying having control of a motor vehicle with that reading puts yourself and others in jeopardy,” Mr Taylor said.

Wilson was fined a total of $650, and disqualified from driving for four months, with no conviction recorded.

Originally published as See the people fined for driving-related offences in Townsville court