Joshua Leslie Withers in court for drink driving, driving without due care and attention

A drunk dental worker’s Sunday morning joy ride in his mum’s car went horribly wrong when he crashed and rolled the vehicle on a quiet residential street.

Joshua Leslie Withers leaving Noosa Magistrates Court. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

A Coolum Beach volunteer dental worker was busted drink driving more than six times the limit after he crashed his own mother’s car in a quiet residential street, a court has been told.

Joshua Leslie Withers, 35, pleaded guilty in the Noosa Magistrates Court to five charges on Tuesday including drink driving, driving without an interlock, driving without due care and attention and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court was told Withers had taken his mother’s car without her permission on Sunday, August 13, 2023, and crashed it into two parallel parked cars on Coolum Tce, Coolum Beach around 10am.

His mother was interstate at the time.

Police prosecutor Allison Johnstone said the car was found facing the wrong way on the road and on its roof.

Withers told police he could not recall how the crash happened and only remembered climbing out of the wreck after the event, Sergeant Johnstone said.

Joshua Leslie Withers at Noosa Magistrates Court. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

He told police he was on his way home at the time.

He was taken to Nambour Hospital for assessment, where a blood test revealed a reading of 0.307 – more than six times the legal limit.

Lawyer Jacob Pruden said his client was “deeply upset with himself” and “remorseful” for his actions.

Withers was an alcoholic, Mr Pruden said, but was taking steps to address his addiction with regular psychiatrist and GP appointments.

Mr Pruden said his client was doing unpaid work in the dental industry making clear aligners.

Magistrate Chris Callaghan gave Withers 18 months’ probation as well as a $300 fine.

He was disqualified from driving for 22 months.

Originally published as Joshua Leslie Withers in court for drink driving, driving without due care and attention