How Central Queensland roofer’s life spiralled out of control

When police saw a very drunk Central Queensland driver toss an open can of VB out the window, his number was up - again.

Maxwell Gregory Maynard pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court to five driving offences.

A Central Queensland roofer’s life was derailed by a tragic series of events which led to a night of sheer madness behind the wheel.

Maxwell Gregory Maynard was 0.187 drunk when police saw that something was seriously wrong with his driving through the streets of Yeppoon.

Maynard was in a Toyota Camry that did not belong to him when he accelerated sharply, causing the rear wheels to lose traction twice.

Maynard also swerved over double white lines before getting the car back onto the correct side of the road.

He then had to “heavily” brake to avoid hitting other traffic.

After police activated lights and sirens and pulled Maynard over, they saw him throw an open can of VB out of the car window.

Officers also discovered that the vehicle was defective - the rear boot was ajar and didn’t close properly.

Things got worse for Maynard as due to a previous drink-driving offence, he was supposed to have an interlock device fitted to any vehicle he drove - and he did not have one.

In Yeppoon Magistrates Court on Thursday, September 21, the 26-year-old Maynard pleaded guilty to five charges, all stemming from the same July 14 incident.

They were drink-driving, driving without due care and attention, not having an interlock fitted, driving a defective vehicle, and littering.

Police activated lights and sirens to intercept Maxwell Gregory Maynard. Generic image.

Solicitor Cam Schroder said Maynard was a roofer in Rockhampton and a series of events had “caused the wheels to fall off his life”.

“He went drink-driving, he lost his licence, lost his job,” Mr Schroder said.

“He split up with his girlfriend, his flatmate passed away, his father passed away, his grandmother was diagnosed with cancer and she’s undergoing chemotherapy, his mother had a stroke and has paralysis down her face.

“So to get back on track he’s got a job out at Moranbah to start it fresh.”

Mr Schroder, who tendered a reference for Maynard, said his client was also attending counselling and “trying to move forward with his life”.

Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne noted it was Maynard’s second drink-driving offence in the past five years and issued fines totalling $2400.

Maynard was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

Traffic convictions were recorded.

Originally published as How Central Queensland roofer’s life spiralled out of control