Qld mining manager Steven Lamkin caught forging drug screen document
An area manager working in the Central Queensland mining industry has been named in court after he forged a medical letter to pass a drug test.
Police & Courts
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A Central Queensland mining industry manager with 15 years’ experience working in the sector has faced court for forging a medical letter to pass a drug test.
Steven Jeffrey Lamkin, 47, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on December 15 to forging a document.
Police prosecutor Stacey Bain said on March 14, Lamkin forged an old drug screen consultation letter provided to him by a doctor by adding a new date.
Ms Bain said Lamkin then used the forged document for purposes associated with his employment.
The prosecutor said during a police interview, Lamkin made admissions to forging the document.
“(Lamkin) appeared remorseful and was able to identify what he did was wrong,” Ms Bain said.
“Further to this, he stated that he wished to apologise to the doctor as he realised forgery of the document may have affected his credibility.”
The court heard that Lamkin had no prior offending of this sort on his two-page criminal history.
Solicitor Laura Mallet said Lamkin was an area manager working in the Bowen Basin and as part of his employment, he had to provide a negative drug screen test for each new mine site he attended.
“So it wasn’t actually for employment, it was to allow him to work on that mine site,” Ms Mallet said.
“He has been working in the mining industry for the past 15 years and during this time he has always passed every drug test that he has been required to provide.
“He advised me that he hadn’t taken any drugs whatsoever - that wasn’t the motivation for changing the date.
“The reason why he foolishly altered the date was because he couldn’t secure an appointment to see a doctor prior to his return to work.”
Ms Mallet tendered two references to the court for Lamkin and said he regretted his decision having never altered a medical certificate previously.
Magistrate Cameron Press said what Lamkin had done was “foolish” before fining him $650.
No conviction was recorded.
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