Dicky Beach lifesaver, builder Benjamin Robert Murphy in court for crash

A Sunshine Coast builder and lifesaver hid alcohol bottles in a backpack when he made the decision to drive drunk and ended up crashing his ute. Read his punishment:

A Dicky Beach surf lifesaver’s decision to drive while five times the legal limit has cost him in court.

Benjamin Robert Murphy, 36, had been drinking throughout the day on February 10, 2022, helping his mother to fix her blind.

The court heard Murphy “did not realise” how intoxicated he had become and decided to drive home.

During the drive, Murphy drove through a red light, mounted the kerb and then crashed into a parked Holden Commodore, causing a total of $15,000 in damage.

Police prosecutor Stephen Potter said police received calls about Murphy’s driving and officers found the father-of-two a short time later standing next to his black ute.

“He was clearly intoxicated … both vehicles had significant damage,” Sergeant Potter said.

A Sunshine Coast builder and lifesaver hid alcohol bottles in a backpack when he made the decision to drive drunk and ended up crashing his ute.

“Police located a number of alcoholic bottles that had been placed in a backpack, the defendant stated the bottles were his.”

Police breathalysed Murphy and he returned a BAC of 0.265, more than five times the limit.

Solicitor Bree-Anna Bowtell said her client had been volunteering at the Dicky Beach Surf Lifesaving Club as a lifesaver since the age of 16 and had patrolled as a captain.

Ms Bowtell said Murphy still volunteered at the club every now and then.

After completing his schooling at Caloundra State High School Mr Murphy completed a carpentry apprenticeship and recently started his own business, Ben Murphy Builders.

Ms Bowtell said Murphy employed one worker on a casual basis.

A Sunshine Coast builder and lifesaver hid alcohol bottles in a backpack when he made the decision to drive drunk and ended up crashing his ute.

She said Murphy will not be able to maintain the business after the job he is currently working on has finished due to financial struggles and his licence disqualification.

“He provides no excuse for his behaviour, he is ashamed of his actions and is thankful that no one was harmed,” Ms Bowtell told the court.

“He was extremely stressed out and it was hard for him to gauge his alcohol.”

Magistrate Graham Hillan said Murphy would have been “flat out walking” with the amount of alcohol he had consumed.

“The reading is quite astounding,” Mr Hillan said.

Murphy was fined $1300 and disqualified from driving for 13 months. Convictions were recorded.

Note: The story initially reported Murphy was a Dicky Beach lifesaving captain, but he is a former captain.

Originally published as Dicky Beach lifesaver, builder Benjamin Robert Murphy in court for crash