Aspiring Ipswich police officer Lauren Taylah Hess fronts court for drink driving
An Ipswich police officer’s daughter risked her chances of following in her father’s footsteps, as she faced court today for her risky response to an unwelcome approach at a local pub.
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A young aspiring police officer has found herself on the wrong side of justice.
An Ipswich court heard today, September 8, how she put her career on the line in one dangerous move after unwelcome sexual advances by a stranger at a local pub.
Lauren Taylah Hess, 23, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court to one count of driving over the middle alcohol limit.
The Morningside resident had been caught driving with a blood alcohol reading of 0.101 in the early hours of August 19.
Defence lawyer Cade Banditt said his client had been drinking at a fundraising event at the Ipswich Turf Club on August 18.
She had around five or six drinks at the club, then left around 5.30pm to go to Falvey’s Hotel – leaving her car behind.
Mr Banditt said his client had planned to stay at a friends’ house.
But when a stranger approached her and made unwelcome sexual advances, Hess had wanted to leave.
Her friends didn’t want to leave yet, so Hess took an Uber back to the racetrack and decided to drive herself home.
Police intercepted her on Pitceathly Street, Bundamba, at 1.30am.
They charged her with drink driving after she returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.101 per cent.
Mr Banditt said the unwelcome sexual advances were “no excuse to drive” but may have “fogged her (Hess’s) reasonable decision-making”.
“She put her career at risk, and more importantly the public at risk by jumping in her vehicle that night,” he said.
The court heard Hess had no history apart from one dated speeding offence.
Her father worked as a police officer, and had been in the force for 22 years.
Mr Banditt said his client had completed schooling at West Moreton Anglican College before starting a nursing degree.
She had since worked as a training recruitment lead, but she now wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and join the police force as a business support officer.
Hess was fined $650 and disqualified from driving for three months.
No convictions were recorded.
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Originally published as Aspiring Ipswich police officer Lauren Taylah Hess fronts court for drink driving
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