Alexander James Novell pleads guilty to driving offence in Noosa court
A Noosa magistrate has warned a young intoxicated driver he would end up in one of three places – a hospital, morgue or court. Read what triggered the warning.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Traveston McDonald’s staff member who drank shots of vodka in his car and smoked weed before police noticed his dinged-up vehicle in Noosa has faced court.
Alexander James Novell, 20, of Gympie pleaded guilty on September 27, 2022, to a single charge of did drive UIL on a P-plate.
Magistrate Bevan Hughes disqualified the defendant from driving for a year.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Stephens said police patrolling on Hastings St, Noosa Heads, about 12.20am on September 5, 2022, noticed a black vehicle with parts missing off the rear bumper and damage to the front with no number plate.
The sergeant said police pulled alongside the vehicle and noticed the driver, who was the defendant, appeared drowsy and had trouble holding his head upright.
Police also noticed his eyes looked glassy.
“There was a very strong smell of cannabis in the cabin of the vehicle and he admitted he’d been smoking cannabis and drinking before he drove off,” Sergeant Stephens said.
Police asked the defendant to get out of the vehicle.
He did so and was slurring and stumbling so police took him to a hospital for a blood test.
Sergeant Stephens said the defendant told police he had picked up his passenger in Gympie and drove to Noosa before drinking about six shots of vodka and Powerade he mixed himself and he also smoked cannabis.
“The defendant was certainly a danger to other road users and the young passenger that was in the vehicle with him,” he said.
Novell, who represented himself, said a year licence disqualification was fair.
He said he had about four shifts a week at the McDonald’s in Traveston and the disqualification would make it difficult for him to get to work.
Mr Hughes said the defendant’s behaviour was dangerous.
“You’re very fortunate the police intercepted you,” he said.
“I’m really worried about what could have happened to you and your friend.
“When you drive while intoxicated, under the influence, you end up in one of three places – hospital, the morgue or a court.”
Mr Hughes also fined Novell $600 and a conviction was recorded.
More Coverage
Originally published as Alexander James Novell pleads guilty to driving offence in Noosa court
‘Prolonged and repeated’: Mother’s $4k social media scam
A woman who was caught red-handed swindling 10 people on Facebook Marketplace in dodgy phone deals has been told her methods were ‘calculated’ and ‘repeated’.
Apprentice threw stake at old woman, broke man’s spine in vile attacks
A Sunshine Coast apprentice has been sentenced for attacks that included eye gouging, leaving a Toowoomba man with a fractured spine and throwing a wooden stake at a woman.
Award-winning DJ with 200k followers faces criminal charge
A Qld musician who has played to major festivals and crowds and claimed he was “partially paralysed” by the Covid vaccine, has been charged following an alleged break-in.
Student accused of having ‘knives, hit list’ and making kill threats
Police are patrolling a Sunshine Coast high school after a bathroom wall graffiti message threatening to stab students was uncovered, with claims the student also had knives and a hit list at school.
Former music store owner guilty of child abuse for second time
Emotions ran high in a Sunshine Coast courtroom as a former businessman was found guilty for the second time of historical child abuse charges after appealing his initial conviction.
Currimundi man charged after partner’s death under prison watch
A Currimundi man has been under close monitoring in custody as he faces court over a public nuisance charge, while separate serious allegations involving his late partner are still before another court.