Gold Coast Detective Sergeant Steven McBryde pleads guilty to driving to work while four times the limit

A senior Gold Coast police officer of more than 30 years has pleaded guilty to blowing the whopping reading after driving himself to work. Now the future of his career remains uncertain.

A veteran Gold Coast detective has pleaded guilty to driving his Lexus sedan to work while more than four times the legal alcohol limit.

Detective Sergeant Steven Leslie McBryde was breathalysed on July 14 after his colleagues noticed signs of intoxication, including unsteadiness on his feet and a strong smell of stale alcohol. Southport Magistrates Court was told the 53-year-old recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.203.

Prosecutor Jacinta Raven said McBryde readily admitted he had driven himself to work after drinking during the night because he could not sleep.

The court was told the police officer of 34 years – more than 20 of those as detective sergeant – was stood down and would face disciplinary proceedings after his sentencing.

Detective Sergeant Steven McBryde, 53, leaving court after pleading guilty to driving while more than four times the alcohol limit. Picture: Jessica Paul

Defence lawyer Annie Bryan said McBryde had until recently used alcohol to cope while dealing with undiagnosed mental health issues but had since sought treatment, with a psychiatrist considering a potential diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Ms Bryan said her client was embarrassed and remorseful for the offending.

“To deal with his mental health issues, he has self-medicated with alcohol for at least the better part of 12 years,” she said.

“His alcohol intake was severely exacerbated by the fact that he was a detective sergeant having to attend numerous murders, suicides and the like, and as well as more recent cases which have had impacts on both his personal and professional life.”

Magistrate Dzenita Balic said McBryde was clearly of exemplary background and thought of highly by those who knew him.

“It is regretful that you are in this position, which is before me in this court, as a result of a bad choice you made, but it seems to me there is a much wider explanation,” Ms Balic said.

McBryde pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence of liquor.

He was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for eight months. No conviction was recorded.