Jacob Peter Boyce sentenced after drink driving tinnie off Mooloolaba Beach

Police towed a tinnie nearly 4km back to shore after a Nambour carpenter was caught high-range drink driving a boat off Mooloolaba Beach without a licence, a court has heard.

Jacob Peter Boyce was fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months after he pleaded guilty to driving a tinny while under the influence of alcohol on October 3. Picture: Social media.

Police were forced to tow a tinnie nearly 4km back to shore after a Nambour carpenter was caught high-range drink driving a boat off Mooloolaba Beach, a court has heard.

Jacob Peter Boyce was fined $600 and disqualified from driving a boat for six months after he pleaded guilty to driving a tinny while under the influence of alcohol on October 3.

Police prosecutor Rebecca Lambert said Boyce smelt strongly of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes, was unsteady on his feet and was laughing for no reason before he blew a reading of 0.177.

“When questioned by police he was providing nonsensical answers to their questions and as result he was arrested (and) brought aboard the police vessel,” she said.

Jacob Peter Boyce leaving Maroochydore Magistrates Court after being fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months. Picture: Laura Pettigrew.

Senior Constable Lambert said Boyce did not have a boat licence and was driving under the direction of the owner, who police believed was also intoxicated.

Butler McDermott Lawyers solicitor Brent King said alcohol had played a factor in the carpenter’s traffic history but noted he hadn’t been before a court for the past two years.

The court heard he had been sentenced for drink driving over five years ago.

Mr King said Boyce just made a “poor decision” to drive and asked for a substantial fine as an appropriate punishment.

He said there was no suggestion the 30hp boat was being driven dangerously.

Magistrate Rod Madsen said he wouldn’t take any action on Boyce’s drivers licence despite the “high” reading.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Jacob Peter Boyce sentenced after drink driving tinnie off Mooloolaba Beach