James Peterson on drink driving charge at Tweed court after Chinderah pub visit

Speeding on the Pacific Motorway in Northern NSW saw a young Gold Coast man in strife, and worse was to come when he told police he’d had three schooners of Victoria Bitter. How the court dealt with the matter.

James Peterson faced Tweed Heads Local Court on November 6 for drink driving offences.

A young Gold Coast man whose driving caught the eye of police blew mid-range despite telling officers he’d had only three VBs at a popular Northern NSW pub.

James Peterson, 22, pleaded guilty at Tweed Heads Local Court on November 6 for driving with a mid-range PCA of 0.085.

Court documents reveal police pulled Peterson over on the M1 northbound at Chinderah, where he was stopped for speeding.

Peterson told police he drank three schooners of VB Beer while at the Chinderah Hotel, where he had eaten a hamburger and chips.

After returning a positive roadside breath test, Peterson was arrested.

Magistrate Geoff Dunlevy said Peterson came to the attention of police due to the speed he was driving and noted his history of drink driving in Queensland.

“Your blood alcohol reading of 0.085 posed a significant risk to yourself and others,” Mr Dunlevy said.

“You have good prospects of rehabilitation – you have time to learn from your mistakes to become a law-abiding citizen.”

Mr Dunlevy convicted Peterson, issued him with a six-month licence disqualification and sentenced him to an 18-month community corrections order.

Peterson was issued a separate infringement notice for the speeding offence.