Bruce James Alford, 40, escapes jail after being caught drink driving for fifth time

A father and Gold Coast business owner has appeared in court after being caught drink driving more than three times the legal limit.

A magistrate has labelled a father-of-one, who was caught drink driving for the fifth time, a “dumbass” after appearing in a Brisbane court.

Former Wynnum resident Bruce James Alford, 40, appeared in the Wynnum Magistrates Court today after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of liquor – a type two vehicle related offence.

The court heard police intercepted Mr Alford, who now lives on the Gold Coast, at 10.15pm on November 12 after seeing him exceed the speed limit on Wynnum Rd on the way home from the Wynnum Tavern in his Isuzu utility vehicle.

Mr Alford was then pulled over on Randall Rd at Wynnum West, where the defendant told police he had six, 3.5 per cent medium strength beers at the Wynnum Tavern before driving.

The defendant then returned a blood-alcohol reading of .166, more than three times the legal limit, at the Wynnum Police Station.

Mr Alford has a long history of drink driving with his most recent offence the fifth time he had been caught, which also included returning a blood-alcohol level of .186 in 2017.

A concreter, who has a young daughter and cares for two other children, runs two businesses including Urban Concreting as well as a earthmoving company on the Gold Coast.

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Prosecutor Emily Ollenburg asked for a suspended jail sentence, saying a fine was not enough due to the defendant’s long history with drink driving.

Mr Alford’s defence lawyer, Kellie Martin of KLM Solicitors, said the defendant had struggled with alcohol problems and depression since his brother died of a drug overdose four years ago.

Ms Martin said he had taken steps to address his alcohol problems since November, including participating in the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

Magistrate Zac Sarra said Mr Alford was lucky he had not killed anyone yet after being caught with “extreme amounts” of alcohol in his system.

“Members of the public have to be protected because this bloke is about to kill someone,” he said.

“You spend $100 on a night on the drink when your business turns over almost $1 million a year, $100 compared to $1 million, that’s how dumbass your decisions are.”

The defendant said he was “totally” remorseful for his actions and was aware he could be given jail time after his latest offence.

Mr Alford was given six months imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months, and was disqualified from driving for 18 months.