Rodney Hobson sentenced at Gladstone for drug offences, drink driving
After downing XXXX Bitter beers and having a blue with his wife, an out-of-work boilermaker hopped in the car but when police pulled him over, they also spotted some suspicious plants in the back.
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A Central Queensland man busted drink driving with cannabis plants on his back seat was driving to get away from his angry wife, a court has heard.
Rodney Peter Hobson, 40, pleaded guilty in Gladstone Magistrates Court to charges including producing and possessing dangerous drugs, and drink driving.
The court heard that about 9.55pm on July 27, police were called to a residence at Calliope after receiving a triple-0 call.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Merrilyn Hoskins said about 10.04pm, while police were en route, Hobson drove past them and police did a U-turn and followed him.
Sgt Hoskins said after Hobson got out of the car, police “smelt cannabis” coming from the vehicle.
“When they (police) were talking to (Hobson) he said there were some cannabis plants on the back seat of his car,” Sgt Hoskins said.
Police seized two cannabis plants.
They also breath tested Hobson, and he returned a blood alcohol reading of .099.
“He (Hobson) said he’d had several XXXX Bitters and he got in the car to get away from his wife because he said his wife was angry,” Sgt Hoskins said.
“And when asked why he didn’t simply walk, he just shrugged his shoulders and smiled.”
Police took Hobson to the watch-house, and there, they found 24 cannabis seeds in a clip-seal bag inside his wallet, the court heard.
Hobson had a two-page criminal history and a seven-page traffic history.
Solicitor Jun Pepito said Hobson was a father and boilermaker who was not currently working because of injury.
The court heard during the offending period, Hobson had been struggling with not being able to work.
Magistrate Mary Buchanan fined Hobson $450 and disqualified him from driving for two months.
She also placed him on 12 months’ probation with conditions.
A traffic conviction was recorded.
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Originally published as Rodney Hobson sentenced at Gladstone for drug offences, drink driving
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