Jack Coleman pleads guilty to high range drink driving in Maroochydore

A Gympie civil construction worker knew he was busted after he was pulled over after performing a dangerous maneuver on the Sunshine Coast while almost four times the limit in front of police.

Jack Robert Coleman faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A Gympie civil construction worker has told police he “f---ed up” after they spotted him performing a fishtail when he was almost four times the legal blood alcohol limit.

Jack Robert Coleman returned a reading of .191 following his boozy intercept about 9.05pm at Maroochydore on November 22.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman said officers were patrolling Maroochydore Rd before they came to a stop at the intersection with the Sunshine Mwy.

Sergeant Newman said they saw a white ute travel through a green light, with the driver revving his engine and accelerating heavily.

The police prosecutor told Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Monday Coleman, who was the driver, lost traction as he turned his vehicle and skidded through the corner.

Coleman failed to break and instead continued to accelerate out of the turn which created a fishtail before he drove off.

Sergeant Newman said there was another vehicle travelling in the same direction with the ute narrowly missing a collision with them.

Coleman after his sentence. Picture: Patrick Woods

Police quickly pulled Coleman over in the shopping village car park at the intersection of Jones Rd and Pittards Rd.

He immediately made admissions, saying “ah I’m f---ed” and “I f---ed up … that was stupid” when he referenced his driving.

He was breath tested and later returned the astronomical reading.

Defence lawyer Jacob Pruden said the labourer completed the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program and had “made things difficult” for himself as he was working on a project in Brisbane.

Mr Pruden was instructed Coleman’s pregnant wife was driving the 27-year-old to Caloundra each day from Gympie so a work mate could give him a lift down south.

The court heard he may have to move closer to Brisbane.

“He might be using up some of his good will capital at the present moment,” Mr Pruden said.

Acting magistrate Raelene Ellis said lives were at risk due to Coleman’s “silly decision” to drive with a high reading and in the manner he drove in.

He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and driving without due care and was fined $1500. He was also disqualified from driving for nine months.

Originally published as Jack Coleman pleads guilty to high range drink driving in Maroochydore