Bjordie Spanton convicted of drink driving and failing to take a breath test after being stopped in unregistered van

A North Coast man has faced court in Mullumbimby for multiple driving offences.

A North Coast man who refused to take a roadside breath test was convicted in Mullumbimby Court on Wednesday.

Bjordie Spanton was stopped by police on South Beach Road in Brunswick Heads around 4.12pm after Officers from Tweed Byron conducted a random registration check on his Nissan van.

Court documents revealed that Officers asked Spanton whether he had been drinking to which he replied ‘Yeah’.

Spanton told Police he had consumed around three or four beers and a bourbon within the previous few hours.

When Police requested his licence Spanton said he ‘maybe had it here somewhere’.

He was arrested after refusing to take a roadside breath test.

Magistrate Karen Stafford said although Spanton had gotten himself a part time job and was trying to better his life it was the courts duty to keep the public safe on the roads.

“You were on your p’s,” Ms Stafford said.

“Your licence [Qld] has been suspended?”

Even though Spanton pleaded guilty immediately he was convicted of driving with mid range PCA, driving a motor vehicle while licence suspended, refusing to submit to breath analysis, licence expired less than two years before, and possessing a prohibited drug.

Ms Stafford ordered two separate mandatory interlock orders and laid fines of $800 for fail to submit to breath analysis, $500 for drive with mid range PCA, and $300 for driving while licence suspended.

Spanton has been disqualified from driving any vehicle for a combined period of nine months.