NAME AND SHAME: Bowen’s drink and drug drivers front court

From heading to kangaroo crashes, to collecting a mate “who got bashed”, these are the reasons people drove under the influence.

A COLLINSVILLE woman who recorded more than three times the legal alcohol limit, told the court a kangaroo was the reason she was behind the wheel.

Christine Anne Nicholls, 47, was stopped by police on Belmore St, Collinsville on January 4.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said police observed Nicholls with slurred speech and bloodshot eyes.

Bowen Magistrates Court heard Nicholls told police she had just drunk a swig of Tooheys beer. She recorded a BAC of 0.185.

The mother-of-one told the court she wasn't expecting to drive on the night, but was "taking a lady to her husband who had just hit a 'roo".

Nicholls was fined $1200 with conviction recorded. She was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

 

TEN DRINKS WITH BROTHER

Airlie Beach man, Matthew Grant Stringfellow, pleaded guilty to drink driving on January 31.

The 37-year-old man was intercepted by police for a random breath test on the Bruce Highway, Bowen, at about 8.15am.

The coal miner recorded a BAC of 0.52, telling police he had consumed about 10 drinks between 2pm and 10pm with his brother the day before.

He was convicted and fined $400, and disqualified from driving for one month.

 

'ON THE RADAR'

Bowen woman, Julie Ann Marie McLennan, was caught driving on January 25 under the influence of marijuana.

McLennan's car was intercepted on Richmond Rd, Bowen about 11.45pm.

Sgy Myors said McLennan made admissions to smoking marijuana before she left her home, which was confirmed with a drug test.

McLennan, 45, told the court her cousin was going to drink and drive, so she stepped up to drive instead and wasn't expecting to be behind the wheel.

Magistrate James Morton said McLennan would be on the police's radar now.

"You've opened a can of worms now," he said.

McLennan was fined $350 and disqualified from driving for one month. Convictions were recorded.

 

JUST GETTING A MATE

A Collinsville man didn't 'feel intoxicated' after he drunk ten drinks, and drove to collect a friend.

Bayli William Knowles recorded a BAC of 0.63 when police intercepted him on Corduroy Creek Rd, Collinsville on February 9.

When police pulled the twenty-year-old man over about 12.20am, he immediately made admissions he didn't have a licence.

Sgt Myors said Knowles told police he had drunk about ten drinks, and didn't feel intoxicated.

Knowles told the court he was picking up a "mate who was in a fight and got bashed", and wanted to do the right thing by him.

For driving on a suspended licence he was fined $750 and disqualified from driving for 24 months, and for drink driving fined $350 and disqualified from driving for three months. Convictions were recorded for both charges.

 

"STOP BEING A WASTE ON SOCIETY"

A magistrate has slammed a man who was found with meth in his system when driving.

Grant Nathan Weston was stopped on Argyle Park Rd, Bowen, about 7.15pm on January 24.

When the Bowen man was pulled over, he initially recorded positive to a high alcohol reading.

However further analysis at the Bowen Police Station showed no alcohol in his system, but did reveal positive readings to methamphetamine, Sgt Myors said.

Weston, 37, said he wasn't a regular user of methamphetamine, something Magistrate James Morton disagreed with.

"Stop waiting around for your centrelink money to come in, and go get a job," Mr Morton said.

"Stop being a waste on society, the meth pipe will give you no future."

Weston was fined $700 and disqualified from driving for 8 months. Convictions were recorded.

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