Recruitment officer, Samantha Berry, Thornlands, caught drink driving

A bayside job recruitment officer said she was not accustomed to the type of alcohol she was knocking back on Melbourne Cup day before being busted driving on the rims of her wheels while well over the limit.

Samantha Bell, 23, outside Cleveland Magistrates Court today, November 21.

A bayside job recruitment officer has faced court after a boozy day at Melbourne Cup celebrations ended in her driving home on the rims of her wheels while four times the legal limit.

Thornlands resident, Samantha Berry, 23, pleaded guilty in Cleveland Magistrates Court November 21, to driving while under the influence of liquor.

The court heard Ms Berry was driving home from Melbourne Cup celebrations on November 1 on Freshwater St in Thornlands when she was intercepted by police.

“The vehicle had a destroyed left front tyre and was still driving on its rims,” police prosecutor Sergeant Duncan Blackburn said.

“Police saw she was intoxicated, they smelt the liquor on her breath.

“She told police she had consumed some wine, the last one an hour before driving,”

Ms Berry returned a roadside breath analysis reading of 0.205 per cent, more than four times the legal limit.

“It is a very high reading,” Sergeant Blackburn said.

“It has obviously had a big impact on her ability to drive.

“It is quite scary.”

Sergeant Blackburn said Ms Berry put other road users, as well as the community, at risk.

“The road toll is the highest it has been in 30 years,” he said.

“This behaviour needs to be stamped out.”

Ms Berry’s lawyer said her client had drunk wine, which was not usual for her.

“She made a very poor decision to drive,” she said.

“Her tyre popped while driving.

“On that day she simply shouldn’t have driven.”

Her lawyer said Ms Berry had completed the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said she doubted Ms Berry was the only one caught drink driving on Melbourne Cup day.

“I know you’re probably not the first Melbourne Cup person here today,” Ms Vasta said.

“Trying to control one drink an hour, it just doesn’t work, there’s too many variables.”

Ms Berry was ordered to complete 50 hours community service and was disqualified from driving for six months.

No convictions were recorded.