Ashleigh Marie Nelson made extraordinary claims about why she drove three times the limit

A scaffolder who was more than three times the legal alcohol limit when she almost ran over a pedestrian and ran from police in Surfers Paradise had made extraordinary claims about why she got behind the wheel. Watch the video of her reasons.

A scaffolder who was more than three times the legal alcohol limit when she almost ran over a pedestrian and ran from police in Surfers Paradise had made extraordinary claims about why she got behind the wheel.

“It’s a choice, isn’t it,” Ashleigh Marie Nelson said as she left court.

The 24-year-old had been repeatedly asked by reporters why she got behind the wheel with a blood alcohol reading of 0.154.

That is three times the legal alcohol limit of 0.05.

Nelson pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday to nine charges including dangerous operation of a vehicle, driving without a licence and possessing a knife in a public place.

Magistrate Janice Crawford sentenced Nelson to nine months’ prison to be wholly suspended for 15 months, fined her $500 and ordered she be disqualified from driving for 15 months.

“It does seem that based on the history that you are acting in a way that is perhaps a bit reckless,” she said.

The court was told that members of the public alerted police to a black BMW driving erratically in Surfers Paradise about 11.10pm on December 12 last year.

CCTV captured Nelson behind the wheel as she drove onto Cavill Ave from Orchid Ave.

She stopped behind a car and when a pedestrian walked in front of her car, she rolled forward narrowly missing him.

Just a few metres later, a police officer on foot tried to wave Nelson’s car down but she accelerated and drove past him.

Police were able to stop her on the nearby Elkhorn Ave but Nelson got out of the car and ran away on foot.

She stopped running when she realised police were going to be able to catch her.

Nelson then recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.154.

Ashleigh Marie Nelson claimed driving drunk was “a choice”.

When the CCTV footage was played of Nelson almost hitting the pedestrian, Nelson scoffed in court and was seen smiling.

Defence lawyer Lee Quinn, of Hannay Lawyers, told the court Nelson had been homeless at 14 and been taken advantage of while on the streets.

Mr Quinn said she had a drug and alcohol issue.

“At time of arrest she has behaved poorly and that doesn’t excuse it but perhaps being under influence of liquor someone lacks facilities,” he said.

Mr Quinn said Nelson had trained as a scaffolder and wanted to do another apprenticeship in the building industry.

Outside of court, Nelson was asking about almost hitting the pedestrian.

“I never hit anyone,” she said.

When she was asked about why she drove drunk.

“Why are you asking questions?” she responded.

Nelson was asked repeatedly why she drove drunk until she said: “It’s a choice, isn’t it.”

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