Caboolture tile panelist Cody Kyle Byriel charged with drug driving

A Caboolture man, who grew up in Hervey Bay, was caught with MDMA and methamphetamine in his system while driving his father to hospital after he had a stroke, a court has heard.

Cody Kyle Byriel leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on July 5, 2024.

A magistrate has warned a tile panelist sentenced for drug driving not to succumb to peer pressure when visiting friends in his hometown.

Cody Kyle Byriel, 27, appeared in the Caboolture Magistrates Court on July 5, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to a charge of drug driving.

The court heard on April 29 that Byriel was pulled over by police in Hervey Bay where he recorded a positive reading for methamphetamine and MDMA.

The court heard the matter was transferred from the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

Byriel’s lawyer told the court Byriel had been temporarily living in Hervey Bay since August last year while caring for his father, who had had his third stroke.

“Mr Byriel grew up in the Hervey Bay area. He’s got quite a lot of friends having grown up there,” she said.

“In his words, everytime he goes back to that jurisdiction, he engages with the drug culture that’s commonly known within the Hervey Bay area.

Cody Kyle Byriel leaving the Caboolture Magistrates Court on July 5, 2024.

“From my review of his traffic history your honour, his previous drug drives are from the Hervey Bay region.

“Mr Byriel admits that when he is in the Moreton Bay area, drugs are not a problem for him.”

She told the court Byriel worked as a tile panelist for two-and-a-half-years but had been out of work since August, 2023.

“He’s had two back surgeries since that time for a work-related injury and has been cleared for light duties as of next week,” she said.

“The offence before the court happened on a Monday. Mr Byriel consumed the drugs in question on the Saturday night.

“He was driving his father to hospital for an appointment.”

The court heard there were two previous drug driving charges in Byriel’s history.

Magistrate Peter Hasted fined Byriel $1000.

He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for seven months.

A conviction was recorded.

Magistrate Peter Hasted fined Byriel $1000 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for seven months. Picture: File

“What is another issue Mr Byriel is the influence of your so-called peers,” Mr Hasted said.

“You’ve got to learn to say no to these people.

“As difficult as it is, you’re the one standing in the court, facing what could be quite serious penalties.

“Your solicitor says when you’re in this district, you’re not bothered at all by this type of behaviour.

“I note the issues you had, particularly the physical health of your father.

“I also note the physical health issues you had and they appear to be behind you, with light work duties being undertaken.

“Hopefully that will continue so you can get yourself back into work. “