Alan Bunt gets suspended jail term for driving offences

A Central Queensland man who lost his spleen after being assaulted while previously in custody has put his freedom on the line with his latest offending.

Alan Neville Bunt, 45, was sentenced in Gladstone Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to drug driving and disqualified driving. Generic image.

A man who lost his spleen after being assaulted while previously in custody has risked a return to jail with his latest offending.

Alan Neville Bunt, 45, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to drug driving and disqualified driving.

The concern for Bunt was his seven-page traffic history which was described by police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins as “a terrible traffic history.”

In relation to his latest offending, Bunt was caught driving while disqualified on March 21 last year and then drug driving (methamphetamine) on August 31 - both at Bundaberg.

Sgt Hoskins said Bunt had a previous drug driving offence in the past five years as well as other drug driving offences on his traffic record.

Gladstone Courthouse.

She said he also had priors for disqualified driving and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

Sgt Hoskins sought three to six months’ jail with immediate parole.

Solicitor Jun Pepito tendered references for Bunt and the court heard those described him as a “hard working” man and a “trusted employee”.

Mr Pepito said Bunt was a father of four who had lost his spleen as a result of being assaulted while previously in custody.

The solicitor submitted for a three-month jail term with immediate parole.

Magistrate Mary Buchanan sentenced Bunt to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for an operational period of two years.

She also disqualified him from driving for two years and six months with traffic convictions recorded.

Originally published as Alan Bunt gets suspended jail term for driving offences