Rhys Couchman: Townsville boatie busted for drink-driving off Palm Island
A Townsville businessman was lambasted for flouting traffic laws after he was busted boating with an “outrageous” breath-alcohol reading.
Townsville
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A Townsville businessman and respected member of the city’s game fishing club was lambasted for continuing to flout traffic laws after he was busted boating with an “outrageous” breath-alcohol reading.
Rhys Couchman, 38, pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to being in charge of a powered boat well over the middle-alcohol limit off Palm Island on September 20.
Prosecutor Kimberley Rogers-Ford tendered the court Couchman’s traffic record that comprised three pages and a certificate that showed he had a BAC reading of 0.134 when tested by water police.
She sought a fine but not a licence disqualification, which was not mandatory.
Defence lawyer Patrick Staunton of Townsville-based legal firm Connolly Suthers said his client had studied at the Australian Maritime College in Tasmania, had completed a dive instruction training course and owned a successful landscaping business that operated in Queensland and New South Wales.
He said Couchman, a father of two, had no prior drink-drive convictions but conceded that his client’s traffic history extended over three pages, mainly for “minor speeding offences”, mitigated by the amount of time he spent on the road.
Mr Staunton said Couchman had been a member of the Townsville Game Fishing Club since the age of 14, providing a reference from the president of the organisation.
He said the reference, which attested to his client’s good character as a member, sponsor and volunteer, demonstrated Couchman’s genuine remorse.
Mr Staunton sought a fine only, saying he client did not pose a threat to marine safety.
He said the defendant and friends had been at the reef during the day and were waiting off Palm Island for high tide to camp for the night.
“During that period, they started having drinks.”
Magistrate Patricia Kirkman-Scroope asked why the offence did not constitute a risk to marine safety and did not warrant a disqualification.
“This reading is pretty outrageous … he must have consumed a lot of beer waiting for the tide to change.”
She also took issue with Couchman’s traffic history, which included fines for speeding, using his mobile phone and parking.
“It does show a pattern of general disregard and contempt for road rules and regulations.”
Magistrate Kirkman-Scroope, however, said she was swayed by Mr Staunton’s detailed arguments that his client was of good character, remorseful and not a threat to marine safety.
The defendant was convicted, fined $1750 and no disqualification period imposed.
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Originally published as Rhys Couchman: Townsville boatie busted for drink-driving off Palm Island
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