Lawyer Thomas Matthew Bevitt triples the alcohol limit after night out drinking

A Brisbane lawyer caught behind the wheel while more than three times the legal alcohol limit after a night out drinking told police that he “thought he was okay” to drive, a court has heard.

Lawyer Thomas Matthew Bevitt, leaving Brisbane Magistrates Court, sentenced for driving under the influence with a 0.165 BAC. Picture: Liam Kidston

A Brisbane lawyer busted driving more than triple the legal alcohol limit after a night out drinking told police that he “thought he was okay” to drive.

Thomas Matthew Bevitt, 33, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court on Thursday for sentence.

The court heard Bevitt’s grey Mazda was pulled over for a random roadside breath test on February 8 around 12.59am at Sandgate Road, Nundah.

Bevitt admitted to police he had had “maybe five beers” while at a friend’s birthday party that night, the court was told.

Defence lawyer Kris Jahnke said Bevitt had “thought he was okay” to drive.

He said even the police were surprised when Bevitt didn’t appear intoxicated – despite returning a BAC of 0.165.

Mr Jahnke said the offending was “out of character” and that Bevitt was “obviously remorseful,” noting he had engaged in a Queensland traffic offenders course since.

He said Bevitt was a father of two young children and was responsible for school drop-offs, as his wife worked as a nurse.

Thomas Matthew Bevitt (right) leaving Brisbane Magistrates Court with his defence lawyer Kris Jahnke. Picture: Liam Kidston

Magistrate Peter Saggers said he understood Bevitt had “brought a great deal of inconvenience upon his family,” but that if he was going to have a drink then he shouldn’t be driving.

Mr Jahnke said Bevitt had “certainly learned his lesson” as a lawyer, in circumstances where he was now before the court as a defendant.

The court heard Bevitt would not lose his legal practising certificate, but Mr Jahnke submitted that his social wellbeing could be impacted at work if a conviction were recorded.

He said Bevitt was working towards becoming a director at his current firm.

Bevitt pleaded guilty at sentence to one charge of driving under the influence of liquor.

He received a $1000 fine and his licence was disqualified for six months.

No convictions were recorded.