William Macdougall sentenced for shocking drug and drink driving offence
In a shocking case, a Central Queensland p-plater and machinery operator has been caught driving with two drugs in his system while heavily intoxicated.
Police & Courts
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A Central Queensland p-plater has been caught driving with two drugs in his system while .147 drunk.
The shocking case came to light in Gladstone Magistrates Court where William Angus Morris Macdougall, 21, pleaded guilty to drug driving and drink driving.
The court heard that police intercepted Macdougall driving a dual cab utility on Kirkwood Drive, Kirkwood, about 4pm on November 24.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Jessica McLaren said Macdougall submitted to a roadside breath test but when questioned, he “declined to answer any questions.”
Snr Const McLaren said Macdougall returned a .147 blood alcohol reading and then after a drug test, returned positives to MDMA and cannabis.
“The aggravating feature of this is that he is only a provisional licence holder and is taking extraordinary risks given his relatively short driving experience,” Snr Const McLaren said.
“There are two drugs in his system and the alcohol as well.”
The court heard Macdougall had a “limited” traffic history with no prior offending of this sort.
A self-represented Macdougall told Magistrate Mary Buchanan that he was working as a machinery operator and that he was hoping to keep his job despite a licence disqualification.
During sentencing, Ms Buchanan said not having a driver’s licence would make it very difficult for Macdougall.
“Hopefully you can keep your job... but unfortunately you’ve put yourself in this position,” Ms Buchanan said.
She noted Macdougall had not been able to drive since the offending, fined him $1200 and imposed a six-month licence disqualification.
A traffic conviction was recorded.
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