Senior Constable Anthony Ross Patrick Stout recorded a blood-alcohol content of .135
A Townsville police officer’s big night out at a rodeo came back to bite him, after he was caught driving more than twice the legal limit.
Townsville
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A TOWNSVILLE police officer’s big night out at a rodeo came back to bite him, after he was caught driving more than twice the legal limit.
Plain clothes Senior Constable Anthony Ross Patrick Stout, 39, was off duty on the morning of Sunday 19 June this year when he was intercepted for a random breath test on Riverway Drive at 9.50am.
He later recorded a blood-alcohol content of .135.
In Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday, Stout pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the middle alcohol limit, but not over the high alcohol limit.
The court heard that Stout had told police he had been camping at a rodeo on the night of June 18, and had drunk 10 beers as well as whisky-based drinks between 2pm and midnight.
Stout had started driving at 9.30am before he was stopped by police less than 30 minutes later.
It was heard that Stout had thought he had not still been affected by the liquor when he decided to drive, because of the length of time that had passed since he stopped drinking.
His licence was immediately suspended.
Stout was heard to have no criminal history, but had one dated speeding matter on his traffic history.
Stout’s barrister said his client had joined the Queensland Police Service in 2005 as a police liaison officer, but had since worked around Charters Towers and Townsville in Child Protection.
It was heard that Stout had apologised to the officers who had intercepted him, and that he had registered for counselling with a psychologist through QPS.
In a letter from Stout’s inspector, he was described as an officer with a high work ethic, and an “asset” to the service.
After being charged, Stout has been stood down and placed on restricted duties, lost his police powers, and was facing internal disciplinary action.
His barrister argued the “stigma” of a conviction may impact Stout’s career progression, and affect his chances of a promotion in the future.
He submitted that Stout would also have to install an interlock in his car and rely on his wife to drive.
Magistrate Steven Mosch acknowledged Stout’s driving had not drawn the attention of police.
“This type of offending can be described as the ‘morning after the night before’ … it must have been a significant night before,” Mr Mosch said.
He fined Stout $850, and disqualified him from driving for six months.
A conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as Senior Constable Anthony Ross Patrick Stout recorded a blood-alcohol content of .135
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