George James Alsop in Redcliffe court for drink driving

A Moreton Bay glass worker has no recollection of smashing his ute through a concrete mailbox and into two cars, after drinking Jack and Coke all afternoon and evening.

George James Alsop leaving the Redcliffe Magistrates Court.

A court north of Brisbane has heard how a ‘remorseful’ glass worker from the Redcliffe Peninsula drank whiskey all afternoon, before driving through a mailbox and two cars in a driveway.

George James Alsop, 23 appeared in Redcliffe Magistrates Court on April 3, 2024, charged with driving under the influence of liquor (motor vehicle/tram/train/vessel).

The court heard that on March 16, 2024, at 10.45pm, police were called to a traffic crash on Lakeview Promenade, Newport.

Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant David Pollock told the court that on arrival, police saw a Ford Falcon ute on the driveway of a residence, which had driven through its concrete mailbox and crashed into a white Nissan Navara ute and black Subaru hatchback, that were both parked in the driveway.

“Police located two males that were the occupants of the Ford Falcon, one of whom was the defendant who identified himself as the driver of the vehicle, “ Mr Pollock said.

“Accordingly he was required to submit to a roadside breath test which returned a positive sample.

George James Alsop leaving the Redcliffe Magistrates Court.

“He was taken to the police station for further testing.

“He told police he had been consuming alcohol in the evening prior to driving.

“He said he consumed five drinks which he poured himself.

“He told police he began drinking at 3pm and had his last drink at 10pm.”

Mr Pollock told the court Alsop returned a BAC reading of .17 at the police station.

The court also heard Alsop had a previous UIL conviction five years ago, on a 0.171 BAC reading.

Alsop’s lawyer Zachary Salatnay said that afternoon, Alsop was at home making repairs to the Ford Falcon ute.

“Throughout the afternoon he had several drinks of Jack and Coke, which he mixed himself, as opposed to drinking it pre-mixed,” Mr Salatnay said.

“Throughout the evening he had no intention to drive the vehicle and I’m instructed due to the traumatic circumstances of the incident, Mr Alsop has memory of his decision to drive.

“He has no idea what could have persuaded him to make such a stupid decision.

“Upon learning on what had occurred, Mr Alsop has shown he has been distraught, deeply remorseful and thankful no parties were injured as a result of his actions.”

The court heard Alsop was a glass worker with G.James Glass & Aluminium and was relying on his co-workers to drive him to and from work.

Mr Salatnay provided Magistrate Mark Bucknall four personal and character references for Alsop.

“People don’t obviously understand that he’s got a prior conviction and it’s not out of character,” Mr Bucknall said.

In response, Mr Salatnay said Alsop recognises this is an eye-opening opportunity for him, after a previous conviction of a similar nature five years ago.

“They’re almost identical when reading last time,” Mr Bucknall said.

“It should’ve been an eye-opening opportunity five years ago.

Mr Bucknall convicted and fined Alsop, who pleaded guilty, $1600 and disqualified him from driving for 15 months.

“You’re very lucky a member of the public wasn’t seriously injured or more,” Mr Bucknall said.

“Your behaviour just can’t be tolerated.”