Michael James Maata faces Mullumbimby court after being caught high-range drink driving in Byron Bay
An “erratic” high-range drink driver put lives at risk on Byron Bay roads. Here’s how the tradie’s dangerous trip came to an end.
Police & Courts
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A group of five men wrestled an “erratic” drunk driver to the ground in Byron Bay in a heroic act to get him off the road.
Michael James Maata, of Leura, pleaded guilty at Mullumbimby Local Court on Wednesday to driving with a high-range alcohol reading of 0.188 - almost four times the legal limit.
He also pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle while his licence was suspended.
The offending marked the second time the 37-year-old tradie was caught driving with a high-range alcohol reading, police documents state.
Outside court, Maata said he was “triggered” the day he was caught.
Maata said he had been returning from a carpentry job which reminded him of his father, who recently died.
“I was pissed and it wasn’t cool,” he said.
Four witnesses saw Maata’s white Toyota Townace “driving in a dangerous manner,” and “tailgating other cars”, while “swerving all over” on Bangalow Rd while he was driving to Byron Bay from Lismore about 5pm on June 23.
“(Maata) was filmed by a witness overtaking cars on double unbroken lines towards a blind corner,“ police documents state.
Maata drove to Byron Bay and stopped his car near Station St, before he became “aggressive” toward other road users.
“One of the witnesses pulled his vehicle up behind (Maata’s car) to speak to him about the manner of his driving,” police documents state.
“(Maata began) throwing punches at the man who defended himself by wrestling (Maata) to the ground with the assistance of four other men”.
When police arrived they noticed Maata was “unsteady on his feet,”, he “smelt like liquor” and was “argumentative”, police documents state.
Maata was taken to Byron Bay Police Station, where he told police he had consumed three cans of Woodstock in seven hours without eating all day.
The suspended licence offence involved police catching Maata driving through an intersection with a medium sized dog on his lap in Byron Bay on November 3.
Police followed him to a beachside car park and asked to see his licence, documents state.
The officers quizzed Maata about his suspended licence, arising from his first high-range drink driving offence, and he said: “Yeah my licence is suspended, I got court on Wednesday.”
Maata’s defence lawyer Cameron Bell said his client suffered “terrible trauma as a child and was affected by the floods”.
Magistrate Karen Stafford replied that Maata’s “erratic” driving was “dangerous” and jail was appropriate as he was “putting lives at risk”.
“This is your second high-range alcohol reading offence in two years … it’s your own fault you stand before the court,” she said.
“You have no excuse. Roads need to be safe from drunk drivers and the community is calling for harsher penalties.”
In total, Maata was sentenced to community correction orders of 15 months and disqualified from driving for 15 months. He must use an interlock device for four years.
Maata was also ordered to complete 80 hours of community service and undergo drug and alcohol treatment, as well as psychological treatment.
Maata said outside court: “I’m thankful I wasn’t put in jail.”