Jasmine Sharkey pleads guilty to drink driving crash on Bradman Ave, Maroochydore

A small-business owner has come before the courts again for drink driving after concocting a tale about a mystery man being behind the wheel during an accident.

Jasmine Joy Sharkey faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Picture: Patrick Woods

A barista has told a fib to police after making up a mystery driver to avoid being blamed for her own drunken crash, a court has heard.

Jasmine Joy Sharkey told police at the scene of her boozy bingle along Bradman Ave in Maroochydore on May 29 a man named “Justin”, who she met that night, was the driver of the car which crashed into a guard rail.

Maroochydore Magistrates Court was told on Tuesday police were called to the scene about 11.30pm which involved the Kuluin woman’s Suzuki Swift.

The vehicle was observed to be halfway up the kerb, where Sharkey told police she was drinking in Maroochydore that night when she met the mystery man.

She told police “Justin” agreed to drive her car home however when he crashed the car he ran off.

A witness who arrived at the scene within two minutes of the crash said she did not see a man, with officers believing there was no evidence of another person being inside the vehicle.

The 26-year-old was breath tested and later returned a blood-alcohol content of .203.

Investigations revealed her car was more than a week past its registration renewal date as well.

The court was told Sharkey’s car had damage to one of its wheels.

Sharkey outside court. Picture: Patrick Woods

The following morning Sharkey called police and told her she was the driver at the time of the crash, which was confirmed by closed circuit television footage from the venue that showed Sharkey leaving alone.

She was charged and pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of liquor and driving an unregistered vehicle.

While representing herself Sharkey tendered two references and a certificate of completion for the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

Sharkey said she was remorseful and was aware of her past traffic history. She claimed she was cautious and aware of safety of the roads and the responsibility of her licence.

The 26-year-old, who runs her own small business, said she also attended a program for drinking and stopped consuming alcohol.

Magistrate Linda Bradford-Morgan however said Sharkey had been caught drink driving previously. The magistrate also pointed to the 26-year-old’s three speeding tickets since her last 10-month driving disqualification.

“I fail to see how your summary of your observance of the road rules fits with your traffic history,” Ms Bradford-Morgan said.

The court heard her last drink driving offence involved a reading of 0.165 per cent.

Ms Bradford-Morgan told Sharkey she was “lethal on the roads”.

“You may kill yourself first but the risk is you will compromise the safety of other road users and pedestrians, you had an accident,” she said.

“You are very fortunate that you did not injure yourself in that accident or anybody else.”

Ms Bradford-Morgan said Sharkey’s latest drink drive was an escalation and believed probation would be better suited for the business owner.

Sharkey was placed on nine months probation and disqualified from driving for 12 months. A traffic conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Jasmine Sharkey pleads guilty to drink driving crash on Bradman Ave, Maroochydore