Travel journalist Stefanie Kate Acworth in Maroochydore court for assault

A Sunshine Coast travel writer with a long-running alcohol problem was found surrounded by cans and nearly four times the legal limit after driving off in her ex-boyfriend’s car following a heated spat.

Stefanie Acworth

A Coolum Beach travel journalist drove off in her ex-boyfriend’s car after she arrived at his house unannounced and found him with another woman.

Stefanie Kate Acworth, 35, was dropped at the man’s Peregian Beach house by a friend for an unannounced visit on January 31.

The court heard Acworth saw her former partner at the house with another woman following the pair’s recent separation.

Defence solicitor Chelsea Emery said the situation became very emotional and heated.

“She became fearful and then jumped in his vehicle to escape the circumstances,” Ms Emery told the court.

Police prosecutor Lee Allan said Acworth did not have permission to use the business vehicle, which was uninsured and unregistered.

Senior Constable Allan said at 9.20pm police found Acworth in the driver's seat of the car with the engine running and surrounded by alcohol cans.

He said the journalist was threatening towards police and clearly intoxicated.

When Acworth refused to provide a specimen of breath, officers took her to the station.

“She was asked a number of times to walk into the station but she was verbally abusive and combative with police,” Constable Allan said.

“Police were holding the defendant’s arms to walk her into the station and she has kicked the victim officer in the knee.”

Stefanie Acworth faced Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

Acworth recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.195, nearly four times the legal limit.

Ms Emery told the court her client had a university qualification in communications and was self-employed as a travel writer.

“She’s extremely embarrassed by her behaviour,” she said.

“She is a lady who has had long-term issues with alcohol abuse ... she wasn’t thinking clearly.”

Ms Emery said Acworth had a supportive family and had been attending intense therapy for her alcohol problem.

The court heard Acworth would find the period of licence disqualification particularly difficult as she had a horse in Eumundi and commitments in Brisbane.

She pleaded guilty in Maroochydore Magistrates Court to being in charge of vehicle while under the influence, failing to provide a specimen of breath, driving uninsured, driving unregistered, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and assaulting a police officer.

Acworth was fined $2000 and disqualified from driving for 12 months, with convictions only recorded for the traffic offences.

Originally published as Travel journalist Stefanie Kate Acworth in Maroochydore court for assault