Brodan Mepstead caught defying Yeppoon pubs banning order

A Central Queensland concreter’s stupid pub act has seen him exposed after breaking his court-ordered promise in just three days.

Brodan John Mepstead.

A court banned Brodan John Mepstead from all Yeppoon pubs on a Thursday and by Sunday he was back drinking at one of them.

The 19-year-old concreter’s stupidity saw him back at Yeppoon Magistrates Court this week where he pleaded guilty to contravening a banning order.

It was just a couple of weeks ago, on May 16, Mepstead was fined, placed on probation, and banned from all licensed premises in the Yeppoon district for 12 months after pleading guilty to charges including public nuisance within licensed premises, and contravening a police move-on direction.

Those offences stemmed from his poor behaviour at Yeppoon’s Pacific Hotel.

The same court this week heard, that three days after copping his punishment from Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale, Mepstead was seen by police on May 19 sitting in the outdoor bar area of Yeppoon’s Railway Hotel.

Mepstead ran off and police later found him trying to get back into The Railway Hotel and they arrested him.

Brodan John Mepstead faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court again on May 6 where he pleaded guilty to contravening a banning order.

Prosecutor Mirren Smith said when questioned, Mepstead told police he was aware of the banning order and he had been “drinking with his father and decided to accompany him to the Railway Hotel.”

Solicitor Stephanie Nicholas said Mepstead was currently in between jobs but he had work lined up in Cairns.

Ms Nicholas said Mepstead was not misbehaving at the Railway Hotel.

“He was in breach of the order - it was a poor decision,” Ms Nicholas said.

“He understands he must comply with court orders.”

Magistrate Cameron Press further rammed home the message to Mepstead.

“The biggest concern is that the court made an order, right - you don’t get much more important direction in society than a court order,” Mr Press said.

“And you were ordered not to go there on the 16th of May, and the 19th of May you just defy the order.

“The importance of it is reflected in the penalties that can be imposed - fines... around about $6000 maximum fine, and then imprisonment for a year.

“That’s what you’re risking - do you understand that?”

Mepstead simply replied: “Yes.”

Mr Press took into account Mepstead had a limited criminal history before fining him $1200.

No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Brodan Mepstead caught defying Yeppoon pubs banning order