Repeat drug driver narrowly avoids actual jail time

A CROWS Nest man with previous drug and drink driving offences narrowly avoided being sent to jail after admitting to drug driving while disqualified.

Picture: Bev Lacey

A CROWS Nest man has narrowly avoided actual jail after being caught drug driving while disqualified.

Ross Alan Beutel had tested positive for marijuana and methylamphetamine after being pulled over by police on the New England Highway at Crows Nest about 10am, October 22, last year, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Julia Wheaton said the 36-year-old had been sentenced to three months jail, wholly suspended for six months, on August 14 last year and so the offences breached those suspended sentences.

Beutel pleaded guilty to drug driving and disqualified driving.

His solicitor Phil Stainton told the court his client had given up alcohol but still had some issues with illicit substances.

Though he lived at Crows Nest, the 36-year-old was planning on moving to a property outside Cooyar where he would be working, Mr Stainton said.

Magistrate Damian Carroll noted, by Beutel's history, he had two previous drug driving offences as well as a drink-driving offence in his past.

"Well, you're in a very, very vulnerable position, do you understand that?" Mr Carroll asked Beutel, who replied: "Yes, Your Honour."

Mr Carroll sentenced him to six months in jail but ordered he be released on parole immediately.

Beutel was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver's licence for 30 months and fined $750.
 

Originally published as Repeat drug driver narrowly avoids actual jail time