Oliver Thomas Duncan pleads guilty to drink driving
A former Brisbane Roar youth player turned star Sunshine Coast footballer might need a lift to training after a few post-work beers at a mate’s place landed him in court.
Police & Courts
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A star Sunshine Coast soccer player has been given a restricted work licence after he pleaded guilty to drink driving after finishing work for the day.
Oliver Thomas Duncan, 22, pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on June 27, 2022, to driving over the general alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Phillip Stephens said the Buddina man was driving his car on Coolum Yandina Rd at Coolum Beach about 3.15pm on Friday, March 18 when police stopped him for a random breathalyser test.
The court heard Duncan – a fourth-year plumbing apprentice – recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.053 and told officers he’d had three midstrength beers at a friend’s place before getting behind the wheel.
The classy midfielder and former Noosa Lions junior plays for the Sunshine Coast Wanderers and had previously played for the Brisbane Roar youth squad as well as having captained New Zealand’s under-17 team that were Oceania champions in 2017 and played in the under-17 World Cup in India.
Duncan’s solicitor Matthew Cooper said his client had made the mistake of driving after he’d had a few beers.
“He had finished work for the day and had gone to a mate’s place,” Mr Cooper said.
Magistrate Rod Madsen granted Duncan a work licence application, allowing him to drive to and from work between 5.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday.
“He should be cautious not pulling over to pull over to a mate’s place and having a few beers,” Mr Madsen said, warning him that he could have easily not have granted the licence.
“I am satisfied you’re a fit and proper person (to hold the license).
“But if you drive from work to home and home to work and you get pulled over for drink driving that can make you ineligible for a work licence.”
Duncan was disqualified from driving for three months and fined $600.
The restricted work licence will remain in place for the three month period.
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