Personal tragedies behind man’s decision to drive while four times the limit

A Brisbane man has blamed tragic personal circumstances, including the death of his brother and the loss of his unborn children, for driving more than four times the legal limit.

Gregory Donald Lougheed was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for 14 months for driving more than four times the legal limit in March.

A BRISBANE man has blamed tragic personal circumstances, including the death of his brother and the loss of his unborn children, for driving more than four times the legal limit.

Magistrate Stuart Shearer told Gregory Donald Lougheed he could not justify his misfortunes for putting people at risk when he got behind the wheel of his car back in March.

Lougheed pleaded guilty at Richlands Magistrates Court on Tuesday to one count of driving under the influence.

The court heard Lougheed had been drinking at a friend’s house in the early hours of the morning of March 24.

Police intercepted his car after receiving an anonymous call about Lougheed driving back home.

He was stopped at 1.40am that morning, turning into Campbell Tce in Oxley.

Lougheed returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.203 per cent.

Addressing the court, Lougheed told Magistrate Shearer that he made a “mistake” and was trying to address the issue through alcohol programs and hospital appointments.

He said he had suffered a number of personal tragedies over the last year, including losing his unborn children, a relationship breakdown, his father encountering health issues and the death of his brother.

“Usually I wouldn’t drink or drive,” he said.

Magistrate Shearer said Lougheed’s level of intoxication could have resulted in someone’s injury or death.

During sentence, he told Lougheed’s personal tragedies did not mean he could put other people at risk.

“All of these things are unfortunate for the person on the receiving end, but they are also extremely common,” Magistrate Shearer said.

“I can understand how it’s distressing, but the reality is you can’t inflict your misfortunes onto other people.

“You’re perfectly free to sit at home and drink yourself into oblivion, but not to get on the road and put other people’s lives at risk.”

Lougheed was convicted and fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for 14 months.