Busted: Drunk man Michael John Paterson ‘used’ a sober learner driver for a Macca’s run

“I thought I was doing the right thing, but apparently I wasn’t.”

A McDonald’s “Drive Thru”. Generic image.

A drunk man was busted “using” a sober learner driver for a McDonald’s run with other passengers in the vehicle.

Michael John Paterson, 40, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on October 28 to drink-driving.

The court heard that on October 2, at 2.25am, police were patrolling Yeppoon when they intercepted a Holden Colorado on Tanby Rd for a random breath test.

A male learner driver was behind the wheel and Paterson was in the front passenger seat instructing him.

Following an RBT, Paterson, who smelt of liquor, returned a reading of 0.140.

He told police the learner was driving due to being the only person sober at the time.

With two other passengers in the vehicle, the learner drove from Zilzie to McDonald’s Yeppoon.

They were making their way back to Zilzie when police pulled them over.

The court heard that Paterson had previous drink-driving offences that were dated.

Paterson told Magistrate Jason Schubert the reason for his actions on the day of the offending.

“I thought I was doing the right thing, but apparently I wasn’t,” Paterson said.

Mr Schubert replied: “To instruct a learner driver carries with it some great responsibilities.

“Indeed on this occasion, you weren’t instructing the learner driver, you were using the learner driver as a designated driver in circumstances where they were the only sober person able to drive.

“You were not in any position to provide the requisite degree of supervision to the leaner driver.

“Indeed, you’ve fallen short of being a role model for that person.”

Mr Schubert fined Paterson $700 and disqualified him from driving for five months.

Originally published as Busted: Drunk man Michael John Paterson ‘used’ a sober learner driver for a Macca’s run