Fraser Coast drink or drug drivers in court

From a gardener more than three times the limit to a bricklayer more than twice the limit, and mums on meth, the Hervey Bay court dealt with multiple drink and drug drivers this week.

(Left to Right) Cody David Mossman, Dwayne David Hextall, Cassandra McKenzie

An intoxicated E-Scooter rider, two mothers on methamphetamines and a three-time convicted drink driver were among those who faced Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Cody David Mossman

A Pialba man who blew more than three times the legal limit has defended his decision to ride an electric scooter which he ended up crashing, and injuring himself, while intoxicated.

Cody David Mossman, 27, pleaded guilty to three charges including drink driving, public disturbance and failure to wear a helmet on Wednesday morning.

The court heard at 5:30am on September 2, 2023, police responded to reports of an incident involving an electric scooter on Beach Rd, Pialba.

Here they found Mossman on the ground next to the damaged scooter consuming a can of Jim Beam.

The officers then transported Mossman to Hervey Bay Hospital to receive treatment for cuts and abrasions suffered in the incident and to undertake a mandatory blood test.

The results of the blood tests showed his blood alcohol level to be 0.176, more than three times the legal limit.

The court heard while at the hospital Mossman used offensive language and acted aggressively towards staff.

He admitted too “causing a scene” but said it was because he was annoyed at himself and not other individuals.

Mossman was self-represented and defended his decision to ride the scooter.

He told the court he knew he would be too “drunk” to drive his car and the scooter was the best alternative.

He said he was the father of two children and worked as a gardener earning about $700 per week.

His license was suspended for six months as was fined $1300 which was referred to SPER for collection.

Convictions were recorded.

Cody David Mossman at Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on October 18, 2023

Cassandra McKenzie

A Pialba woman who had previously been caught drug driving twice has fronted court again for the same offence while on a probationary licence.

Cassandra McKenzie, 42, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of an illicit substance in Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on Wednesday morning.

The court heard McKenzie was pulled over by a highway patrol car on July 28 on Boat Harbour Drive, Scarness, where she admitted to using methamphetamines the evening prior.

It was the third time in five years he was caught drug driving.

She told the court she worked in a takeaway shop in Urangan, where she earnt about $500 a week, while also raising two children and caring for her ill mother.

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said McKenzie's behaviour was “dangerous” and illicit drug use was “insidious”.

She suspended McKenzie's licence for six months and fined her $1100 which was sent to SPER for collection.

Convictions were recorded.

Cassandra McKenzie at Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on October 18, 2023

Dwayne David Hextall

A Kawungan bricklayer found by police with an open can of Canadian Club in his car’s console was convicted of drink driving on Wednesday.

Dwayne David Hextall, 39, pleaded guilty to drink driving when he faced Hervey Bay Magistrates Court.

The court heard on September 1, 2023, Hextall was pulled into a roadside breath test unit by highway patrol officers on Woodgate Rd, Goodwood.

He admitted to having “consumed a couple cans of CCs” and when a breath test was conducted, he recorded a reading of 0.112, more than double the legal limit.

With two convictions in 2007 and one in 2022 it is the fourth time Hextall has been convicted of drink driving.

He told the court he was father of three children and a full-time bricklayer where he earnt about $640 per week.

His licence was suspended for four months and he was fined $850, which was sent to SPER for collection.

Convictions were recorded.

Dwayne David Hextall leaves Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on October 18, 2023

Lucy White

An aspiring Pialba graphic design artist has fronted court on identical charges to the ones she was convicted of in early 2023.

Lucy White, 31, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of an illicit substance in Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on Wednesday morning.

The court heard on July 28, 2023, police responded to a single vehicle incident on Nissen St, Urraween at 7:15pm involving a blue Holden Commodore.

It was here they found White, who tested positive for methamphetamines in a roadside test.

It was the second time in a year she had faced court on drug driving charges; in January she pleaded guilty to the same offence.

She told the court she was undertaking a Diploma of Graphic Design, while also raising two children as a single parent.

The court heard she was on Centrelink and received a fortnightly payment of $922.10 in addition to $251.10 per week.

Her licence was suspended for seven months and she was fined $650 which was sent to SPER for collection.

Convictions were recorded

Lucy White leaves Hervey Bay Magistrate Court on August 18, 2023.

Originally published as Fraser Coast drink or drug drivers in court