Named: The Coast drink-drivers sentenced for crashing, speeding and drug use

Six Sunshine Coast drink-drivers have faced court after a series of dangerous incidents, including one man who nearly ran over a police officer.

Drink drivers were busted boozing behind the wheel during a string of RBTs.

From crashes to obstructing traffic, read about the drunken behaviours that caught officers’ eyes

Drink-drivers appeared in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 11 and were sentenced by Magistrate Raelene Ellis.

No convictions:

Peter Graham Whyte

Filter technician Peter Graham Whyte almost “ran over an officer” as he was told to stop for a breath test, a court has heard.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Hoffman told the court police waved the vehicle over after observing it go through a stop sign on Maroochydore Rd in Kuluin.

He said an officer had to move to avoid being hit by Whyte’s car.

“The 58-year-old stopped in the middle of the road, causing a hazard for other road users,” he said.

Despite his near-miss, he was only driving over the general alcohol limit with a reading of .095.

Jacob Pruden represented him as he pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit and driving without due care and attention.

Mr Pruden said his client was remorseful and was distracted by a family affair.

“He’s very sorry about his manner of driving,” he said.

“He had no intention of causing concern to the police officers involved.

“He saw his father, who’s in a nursing home, and he is unsure if he’ll make it to Christmas.”

Whyte was fined $800 and disqualified for three months.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis did not record a conviction due to his “otherwise good behaviour”.

Ryan Sean Hassell

Family man Ryan Sean Hassell added to his two-page traffic history after being caught driving with a blood-alcohol reading over two times the legal limit.

The 47-year-old father-of-two pleaded guilty to driving while over the middle alcohol limit as he stood beside his lawyer Chelsea Emery.

He was intercepted by police on Friday, October 24, on Fisherman’s Road, Maroochydore.

At 3.35pm, he was breath tested and taken for further analysis, which showed a blood alcohol reading of .109.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable David Hoffmann told the court Hassell had a two-page traffic history, while his lawyer asked for no conviction to be recorded.

He was fined $650 and disqualified for three months.

No conviction was recorded.

Convictions:

Matthew John Cairney

RBTs caught some of the drink drivers, while others exposed themselves with their dangerous driving behaviour.

Matthew John Cairney was spotted driving at an excessive speed before he was breath tested by police.

The glazier was driving on the Sunshine Motorway, Buderim on Saturday, September 27 about 3pm.

He represented himself as he pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.

He returned a blood alcohol reading of .082 on the offence date — almost two times the legal limit.

Mr Hoffman said the defendant had a history, and his last offence was in 2019.

He said he had put his family in danger.

Cairney was fined $500 and disqualified for three months.

A conviction was recorded.

Jaymen Ray Morley

Landscaping business-owner Jaymen Ray Morley self-represented as he pleaded guilty to driving more than two times over the legal limit.

The businessman crashed his car on Monday, October 6, at 4.26pm, prompting a breath test after police arrived on the scene.

Morley acknowledged his dangerous actions and apologised to the court.

“I want to apologise to the community and emergency services for the grievances caused,” he said.

“It was very out of character for me, and I’m very grateful no one was hurt.”

He returned a blood alcohol reading of .125 per cent — over two times the legal limit.

Mr Hoffmann told the court Morley’s last offence was a public nuisance charge in October last year.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis said he misused alcohol.

“This says to me you have a problem with alcohol, and I hope you get help for that,” she said.

He was fined $850 and disqualified for five months.

A conviction was recorded.

Jessica Elizabeth Doak

Self-employed Jessica Elizabeth Doak was busted drink driving over two times the legal limit while driving in Maroochydore.

She represented herself as she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence on Sunday, October 19.

She had a blood alcohol reading of .155 at 11.15pm, putting her in the high-range drink driving category.

She said, “I could’ve hurt someone”, as she stood before the court.

She was fined $900 and disqualified for eight months.

A conviction was recorded.

Duncan Joubert

Drug and drink driving landed Duncan Joubert in trouble after testing positive for cocaine and alcohol early on Saturday, September 20.

At 7.17am, the carpenter was driving in Mooloolaba when he was pulled over for an RBT.

Mr Hoffman said Joubert returned a blood alcohol reading of .063 and tested positive for cocaine.

The 27-year-old works as an apprentice carpenter on the Coast.

Magistrate Raelene Ellis said he “has a good traffic history”.

He completed the Queensland Traffic Offenders Program.

He was fined $850 and disqualified for one month for each offence.

A conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Named: The Coast drink-drivers sentenced for crashing, speeding and drug use