Learner driver Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder caught drink driving at Byron Bay, claims he was fleeing campsite attack
A Northern Rivers apprentice mechanic busted drink driving in Byron Bay has told a court he was forced to flee a campsite attack.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Wardell apprentice mechanic on his L-plates caught drink driving in Byron Bay claims he was fleeing from Red Devils Campsite after being assaulted.
Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder faced Byron Bay Local Court on Monday.
The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.
Keys-Hodder was driving a Mazda sedan along Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay when he was spotted by police conducting roadside breath tests about 11am on April 8.
Keys-Hodder turned onto Arakwal Court to avoid being tested, according to court documents.
But police intercepted Keys-Hodder’s car and pulled him over for a breath test.
He returned a positive result and officers noticed Keys-Hodder only held a learner’s licence.
Keys-Hodder was arrested and placed into a police testing bus and blew a mid-range reading of 0.119 – more than two times the legal alcohol limit.
Keys-Hodder told police he was living at the Red Devils Campsite in Byron and had downed a dozen Toohey New beers between 7.30am and 10.30am.
“The accused was well affected by alcohol,” the documents state.
Defence lawyer Isabelle Braly told the court Keys-Hodder had no record of alcohol-related offending and was working to improve his life.
“He had been assaulted at the campsite and was driving to the police station to report it,” she said.
No further information was provided about the claimed Red Devils Campsite attack.
Braly said Keys-Hodder needed his licence “to continue his mechanic apprenticeship and to attend TAFE which will lead to important work for him”.
Keys-Hodder completed a traffic offenders program, the court heard.
Magistrate Karen Stafford said Keys-Hodder was travelling with a passenger and was previously caught using a phone while driving.
“Drink driving happens far too often in Byron Bay and that’s why the court needs to stamp it out,” she said.
Ms Stafford fined Keys-Hodder $500 and disqualified him from driving for three months.
He will have to use an alcohol interlock device for a year once allowed to drive.
Cowardly ‘repeat DV offender’ jailed for punching woman
A Kyogle forklift driver has been jailed for punching a woman in the face after drinks at the Nimbin Hotel, breaching an apprehended violence order. Here’s what we know.
‘I only punched her in the face’: Man in court for cowardly attack
A North Coast man bashed his partner and tried to carry her away from a shopping centre to stop her seeking help as numerous triple-0 calls were made by worried bystanders.