Ayr music teacher Stephen Leslie Keyse caught drug driving, admits to cannabis use

An NQ teacher has appeared in court after being caught driving with two different illegal drugs in his system while travelling to the ‘Rabbits Eat Lettuce’ music festival.

Ayr schoolteacher Stephen Leslie Keyse pleads guilty to drug driving. July 28, 2025.

An Ayr teacher has appeared in court after being caught driving with two different illegal drugs in his system while travelling to the ‘Rabbits Eat Lettuce’ music festival.

Stephen Leslie Keyse, 54, works as a supply schoolteacher and also performs as a musician in his spare time.

On April 17 at Stonelands near Kingaroy he was intercepted at a static police stop and drug tested while travelling to the electronic music festival.

Police charged Keyse with drug driving and driving an unregistered vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to both charges in Ayr Magistrates Court on July 28.

Ayr schoolteacher Stephen Leslie Keyse pleads guilty to drug driving. July 28, 2025.

Police prosecutor Danny Burke said Keyse’s drug test recorded the presence of both cannabis and methamphetamines in the teacher’s system.

“To his credit he made submissions to smoking cannabis two days before,” Mr Burke said.

Keyes’ defence lawyer, Darryn Casson, said his client has travelled around the world as a musician and currently teaches music on a supply teacher contract.

Ayr schoolteacher Stephen Leslie Keyse pleads guilty to drug driving. July 28, 2025.

“He was actually travelling with his housemate to the Rabbits Eat Lettuce music festival,” Mr Casson said.

“He was cooperative with police, it’s a very early plea of guilty, and he’s shown remorse and assisted with the administration of justice.”

Due to his lack of criminal history, cooperation, and good behaviour Magistrate Susan Warrington opted to fine Keyse’s $787 and disqualified him from driving for one month.

Convictions were recorded.

Originally published as Ayr music teacher Stephen Leslie Keyse caught drug driving, admits to cannabis use