Jon Basuke Anu sentenced in Townsville Magistrates court for drink driving
An ADF warrant officer’s decision to get behind the wheel after drinking has landed him in court.
An ADF officer was acting “out of character” when he got behind the wheel after drinking, a court has heard.
Jon Basuke Anu, a warrant officer class two with the 4th Regiment, appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle whilst over the middle alcohol limit but not over the high alcohol limit.
Prosecutor Lescha Lawson said in September police saw the 38-year-old’s car swerve between lanes on Hervey Range Road at around 11pm, and accelerate away quickly when police did a U-turn, before turning on their lights and sirens.
“Police spoke to the driver in the vehicle who identified himself as John Anu, the defendant, he had a reading of 0.138 per cent,” she said.
Anu’s solicitor Bradley Searston instructed by Connolly Suthers Lawyers said his clients actions were “out of character,” and he won’t lose his employment as a result of his license being disqualified.
“He has now been immediately suspended since he was charged on the 20th of September, which is approximately nine weeks,” he said.
Mr Searston asked for a more hefty fine to be implemented, so the number of months Anu is disqualified can be reduced, helping him return to work, and said it would reflect his remorse and timely plea of guilty.
Magistrate Susan Warrington handed Anu a $750 fine and disqualified his license for three months.
His conviction was not recorded.
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Originally published as Jon Basuke Anu sentenced in Townsville Magistrates court for drink driving
