Craig Andrew Raymond Ensbey pleads guilty in Dalby court to high range drink driving

A regional Queensland man who got behind the wheel four times the legal alcohol limit said he was simply trying to ‘help a mate’ when he was busted by police.

A man who blew four times the legal limited after being pulled over by Western Downs police said he was trying to help a friend when he got behind the wheel of his car.

Craig Andrew Raymond Ensbey recorded a reading of 0.202 when he was randomly intercepted by police on Beardmore St at Tara on May 3 Dalby Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said the man, who represented himself in court, had one drug driving offence in his history from 2021.

When acting magistrate Andrew Walker asked Ensbey if he had anything to say as to why he was driving he apologised to the court.

“It was an unfortunate incident, I’m sorry it occurred,” he said.

“I was trying to help a mate out who was too drunk to walk, I was trying to take him home from my place to his which was 500m away.”

Mr Walker questioned the man’s own alcohol intake.

“Do you think you might have been a bit too drunk too?” he asked.

Esbey replied, “Yes”.

Mr Walker acknowledged the man’s limited but relevant history.

“The biggest problem you had was you were more than four times the limit, you shouldn’t have been anywhere near a motor vehicle,” he said.

Ensbey pleaded guilty to one count of driving under the influence.

He was fined $1400 and disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Originally published as Craig Andrew Raymond Ensbey pleads guilty in Dalby court to high range drink driving