Gregory Michael Cavanaugh sentenced in Dalby court for ‘erratic’ drunk driving

A Western Downs man who was seen driving erratically after pulling out of a pub was berated by a magistrate for driving almost four times the legal limit. See how it unfolded in court.

A repeated drink driver who was busted reversing out of a Western Downs pub before being intercepted by police fronted court for his driving.

Gregory Michael Cavanaugh appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on August 22 for high-range drink driving after he was seen reversing away from the Criterion Hotel in Dalby.

Police prosecutor Chris Hutchins said police saw the 41-year-old drive in an “erratic” fashion as he reversed and then disobeyed a ‘left only’ sign as he drove onto the Warrego Highway.

When police intercepted the black Volkswagen it was reported they could smell the alcohol on the man’s breath, he was slurring his speech and could not stand properly on his feet.

He returned a reading of 0.197.

Defence lawyer Michael McElhinney said his client and father of eight could not remember how many drinks he had consumed.

Magistrate Kyna Morice berated the man for putting himself in a position to injure or kill someone.

“You blew an incredibly high reading,” she said.

“And against the back drop of a history with a number of similar offences.

“The reason why there’s a limit is because your judgement is impaired at 0.05.”

The man pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol.

He was fined $1000 and disqualified from driving for six months.

Originally published as Gregory Michael Cavanaugh sentenced in Dalby court for ‘erratic’ drunk driving