Maxwell James Ward in Chinchilla Magistrates Court after pinching hundreds from pokies machine

A man’s careless behaviour has landed him in court where he was told he was making ‘a complete muck up’ of his life after stealing hundreds of dollars from a pokie machine and getting behind the wheel with alcohol in his system.

Pokies. Photo Paul Braven

A man who the court was told was drunk at a regional Queensland pub before stealing money from a pokie machine and getting behind the wheel the following day has said he has no answers for his reckless behaviour.

Maxwell James Ward appeared in Chinchilla Magistrates Court on October 12 after his brazenly took money from another person at a pub.

Police prosecutor Derek Brady said on September 1 at the Star Hotel Motel in Emerald a man who was playing at a pokie machine and had $400 of cash credit inside it, put up a sign to say he would be back shortly.

The court was told Ward had been sitting next to the man, and took out the credit slip when the man left, then cashed it in at the hotel.

Sergeant Brady said the following day the 27-year-old was randomly intercepted by police on Ruby St and asked to do a breath test where he presented a reading of 0.113.

Defence lawyer Brad Skuse said although the offence was aggravated due to his client only being put on probation for another dishonesty offence a week prior, he hadn’t had enough time to properly engage with programs offered by the probation office.

“He can’t give an explanation, it was an opportunistic action he took,” Mr Skuse said.

Acting magistrate Andrew Walker said taking a slip from a pokie machine was essentially taking money.

“I’m told you have to control your drinking,” Mr Walker said.

“You have to realise you’re making a complete muck up of your life.”

Ward pleaded guilty to stealing and drink driving.

He was fined $350 for the stealing offence, ordered to pay compensation to the victim of $400.

He was also fined $750 for drink driving and disqualified for six months.

Originally published as Maxwell James Ward in Chinchilla Magistrates Court after pinching hundreds from pokies machine