Steven Powell: Gold Coast cabinet-maker rues decision after getting pinged for high-range DUI

A Gold Coast tradie who “ran into some old friends” while dropping by the pub to pay a labourer has learnt an expensive lesson after getting behind the wheel. Here’s what happened in court.

Mermaid Waters cabinet-maker Steven Thomas Powell, 63, outside Southport Magistrates Court. Picture: Alex Treacy

A Gold Coast tradie who “ran into some old friends” while dropping by the pub to pay a labourer has learnt an expensive lesson after getting behind the wheel.

Mermaid Waters cabinet-maker Steven Thomas Powell, 63, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, July 14 where he pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence of liquor.

The offence occurred just before 10pm on June 13 this year on Sunshine Blvd at Mermaid Waters.

Police took up with the defendant for a random breath test and licence check, the court heard.

Powell returned a reading of 0.206 per cent blood-alcohol content – more than four times the legal limit.

Defence lawyer Billy Gee told the court his client attended a pub – understood to be the Mermaid Waters Hotel – for the purposes of paying a labourer.

However, while there, he “ran into some old friends... [and] had a few more drinks than he should have,” Mr Gee said.

“He got caught up in the moment,’ Mr Gee added.

The lawyer said police took up with the defendant as he was leaving the hotel car park and so the vehicle was in motion only a short distance.

Mr Gee said his client, a father-of-three with a negligible traffic record, made a “stupid, foolish decision” that had been the source of much anxiety, particularly how the loss of licence would impact on those around him.

Mr Gee submitted a conviction should not be recorded, on the basis Powell was a sole trader who regularly subcontracted on local projects, which, depending on their proponent, could require criminal and traffic checks.

Powell was told by the magistrate he was lucky to not have injured or killed someone, and he would have been looking at a jail term spanning years, not months, if he had’ve.

Powell was fined $1200 and disqualified from driving for 10 months. No conviction was recorded.

Originally published as Steven Powell: Gold Coast cabinet-maker rues decision after getting pinged for high-range DUI