Toowoomba tradie taken off road after ‘extremely foolish’ run-in with cops

A Toowoomba tradesman and business owner will have to take the position of a ‘passenger princess’ while on the job after he refused to participate in a roadside test after having a few too many drinks at a local watering hole.

Toowoomba business owner Cameron John Dando.

A Darling Downs tradesman who travels across Queensland for work won’t be doing much driving after he was caught drink driving after having a few too many drinks with his brother at a pub.

The Toowoomba man, Cameron John Dando, fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday, April 16, and pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit.

The father also pleaded guilty to refusing to comply with a roadside breath test when police intercepted him on January 16, 2025.

Police prosecutor Anita Paige said about 5.50pm officers saw two men travelling in a car along Jennings St, South Toowoomba, before it pulled into a driveway.

She said Dando told the officers he consumed four drinks over a three hour period but refused to do a breath analysis test, despite being warned it was a criminal offence not to do so.

After he refused a second time, he was arrested and transported to a police station where he blew a reading of .09.

Ms Paige said Dando’s history showed it was not the first time he refused to provide a roadside breath test, however he did not have a prior conviction for drink driving.

The court heard Dando had been drinking beer and spirits at a pub with his brother after the pair went out for lunch.
His brother was not accused of any wrongdoing.

Toowoomba buissness owner Cameron John Dando.

Solicitor Joe McConnell said Dando chose to drive because his brother had drunk more.

“He does appreciate and accept (it) was an extremely foolish and dangerous decision to make,” He said.

Mr McConnell said Dando refused to provide a reading because he wasn’t thinking properly at the time.

“When he… (saw) the police were at (the) house for an unrelated matter, which immediately took him by surprise, and amidst the confusion of what was occurring, and in the moment of exceptionally poor judgement, he’s then declined the initial roadside test,” he said.

“He does accept without hesitation that… his conduct was inappropriate… he doesn’t make any excuse and instructed me to frame it in those terms.”

While unlicensed over the past few months, Mr McConnell said the self-employed glazier and business director was able to carry on with his work obligations as there were a number of staff who could drive him around.

He said Dando’s business serviced a wide area across Queensland, with job sites located from west of Saint George to East of Brisbane.

Other charges that Dando has before the courts were adjourned to July 5, 2025.

Magistrate Kyna Morice agreed with that proposition given the immediate suspension of his license, as well as the fact that Dando had not committed any further offences.

Mrs Morice chided Dando for not completing any driving programs following the incident and reinforced the importance of not driving over the legal limit.

Dando was fined $800 and disqualified from driving for one month for each offence, however they will run at the same time.

No convictions were recorded.

Dando had unrelated charges before the court, which occurred on the same day, which were adjourned to July 5 in anticipation for a hearing.

A brief of evidence was ordered for the two offences.