Defence Force worker Keven Martin Ashurst’s drink driving mistake

An Australian Defence Force worker’s decision to drink and drive 100m from a Moreton tavern on Anzac Day led to a car accident which caught the attention of police, a court has heard.

Ashurst and his wife were seen on CCTV outside the BWS at Warner. Picture: File

An Australian Defence Force worker’s decision to drink and drive 100m from a Moreton tavern on Anzac Day led to a car accident which caught the attention of police, a court has heard.

Keven Martin Ashurst, 37, appeared in the Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on June 11, 2024, charged with driving under the influence.

The court heard on April 25 Ashurst and his wife were seen on security footage outside a BWS after leaving the Warner Tavern.

Ashurst then got behind the wheel of a black Holden Colorado, the court heard.

The court was told that after driving a short distance, Ashurst then swapped seats with his wife.

Prosecutor Andrea Ford said that at 6.55pm police were called to the scene of a traffic crash on Nicola St in Warner involving a black Holden Colorado and identified Ashurst.

“Police obtained CCTV that showed Ashurst driving the vehicle from BWS, Warner,” Ms Ford said.

The Warner Tavern. Picture: File

“The defendant stated to police he had driven from BWS, Warner, to the roundabout, on the intersection of Everest St and Paramount Drive, where he had swapped drivers with the other person involved.

“While speaking with the defendant, police observed the defendant’s bloodshot eyes, slurred speech and unbalancedness on his feet.

“Police had a further conversation with the defendant who stated he had consumed several beers since about 8am in the morning.

“The defendant offered no emergent reason for driving.’’

The court heard Ashurst was taken to the watch house where he recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.151.

The court heard Ashurst had only a one-page criminal history.

His lawyer, David Abery, said Ashurst was a father-of-two and had worked in the Australian Defence Force since 2019 as a fuel specialist.

Mr Abery told the court that on the offence date, Anzac Day, Ashurst had attended the funeral of a colleague who committed suicide a few days earlier.

“This Anzac Day was a very difficult day for him,” Mr Abery said.

“He and his wife went to the local tavern for a few drinks.

“His wife as I understand it wasn’t drinking but Mr Ashurst did consume a number of drinks over a period of time.

“When it was time to leave, he was the driver.

“He drove from the tavern for about 100m, then realised he wasn’t in a state to be driving and then swapped seats with his wife.

“She was unfamiliar with the vehicle, being a large Colorado ute, very high powered.

“It seems something happened and was involved in an accident that happened soon after, which caught the attention of police. “

A Defence worker has appeared before Pine Rivers court. Picture: File

Mr Abery told the court the suspension of Ashurst’s licence since Anzac Day had placed great strain on the Ashurst family.

“Since the suspension of his licence imposed from the offence date, Ashurst’s wife has to wake up at 4.30am to drive him to work to be there by 6am,” Mr Abery said.

“She then needs to return home, take their children to school, head off to her own job, then at the end of the day does the reverse.

“As I’m sure your honour will appreciate, that has placed significant hardship on Mr Ashurst and his entire family.

“Mr Ashurst obtained his licence in about 2005, your honour will see he comes before the court with some history.

“Importantly, he hasn’t had any court proceedings in the last five years and also has no prior history for drink driving.

“On my instructions, he had stopped drinking alcohol completely.

“From the outset he has been very upfront with the Defence Force, they have sent a support person along today.

“As a result of this offence, a report will be sent back to his superiors and I understand there will be some internal disciplinary action taken as a result.”

Mr Abery also told the court Ashurst completed Year 10 through TAFE and had also worked in an abattoir, as a bricklayer and in the automobile industry.

Magistrate John Costanzo fined Ashurst $500, disqualified him from holding or obtaining a drivers licence for six months.

No conviction was recorded.