Man with 'clear substance abuse issue' gets jail/probation

HIS solicitor told the court he had a significant alcohol problem and was drinking up to a bottle of whiskey and a cask of wine a day.

The man pleaded guilty to two separate counts of drink-driving. Picture: Max Fleet

A ''PERSISTENT offender" with a "clear substance abuse issue" was drinking up to a bottle of scotch and a cask of wine a day, Toowoomba Magistrates Court has been told.

Peter John Jannusch, 35, was on a disability pension and awaiting a kidney transplant, his solicitor Alysha Jacobsen of Bouchier Khan Lawyers told the court.

The 35-year-old appeared via video link from Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre to plead guilty to 13 offences including:
Having a small amount of methylamphetamine when stopped by police on Stanley Court on March 27; driving unlicensed and with a breath/alcohol reading of 0.13 on Kelly St, Harlaxton, on April 15; driving unlicensed and under suspension and with a breath/alcohol reading of 0.127 and leaving the scene of a crash on Hill St, Toowoomba, on April 19.

Police prosecutor Nikola Prince told the court Jannusch had a seven-page criminal history and had a "clear substance abuse issue".

The 35-year-old had been sentenced to six months in jail last year for burglary and 11 of these 13 offences before the court had been committed while he was subject to parole, she said.

Ms Jacobsen said her client had a "significant alcohol problem" but he had contacted counselling services to get help.

Magistrate Kay Ryan took into account Jannusch had already served 53 days in custody and sentenced him to six months in jail, but suspended the term in full for two years, placed him on two years probation and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for a total five years.

Originally published as Man with 'clear substance abuse issue' gets jail/probation