Ingham court: Shaun Bailey convicted of drink driving after Bruce Highway accident

A drunken North Queensland community worker who was badly injured when he flipped his car on the Bruce Highway has been rebuked by a magistrate.

Shaun Marshall Bailey outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

A drunken North Queensland community worker who was badly injured when he flipped his car on the Bruce Highway was told he was “lucky that nobody else was hurt” when he appeared in court.

Shaun Marshall Bailey, a father of a young child, pleaded guilty to the sole charge of driving under the influence of alcohol with a reading well over three times the legal limit following the serious accident in Toobanna on the night of March 18, a Tuesday.

Police prosecutor Brandon Wood said police were called to a report of a Ford Focus on its roof in the middle of the highway south of Ingham at 9.16pm.

He said Bailey was later found in the front yard of his nearby home.

“He stated he was driving the vehicle and swerved to avoid a kangaroo, which caused him to crash and the defendant stated that he had also consumed liquor about 10 minutes before driving.”

Shaun Marshall Bailey outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

Mr Wood said Bailey returned a positive result for the consumption of alcohol but due to his injuries he could not be taken to Ingham Police Station for further testing.

“He was taken by the Queensland Ambulance Service to Ingham Hospital … and a specimen of his blood was taken for analysis, which returned a reading of 0.151 (per cent), a high reading.”

He said that police returned to Wood’s address at a later date to question him about the circumstances of the accident.

“He stated that he had been drinking at (a pub in Ingham) and received a call from his partner having a panic attack and decided to drive home immediately.”

Mr Wood said that given the severity of the accident and a previous conviction for drug driving in 2021, he recommended a “hefty fine” and driving ban well beyond the minimum-mandatory period of nine months “to adequately reflect the seriousness of the incident”.

“Your Honour could, and it probably doesn’t quite get to this level, consider probation for the defendant to get some assistance with his consumption of alcohol.”

Asked by Acting Magistrate Rhiannan Lee if he had anything to say in his defence, Woods said, “No Your Honour, I know I’ve done wrong.”

He also acknowledged that he would likely lose his employment working for an Ingham-based community-support organisation.

Shaun Marshall Bailey outside the Ingham Magistrates Court. Picture: Cameron Bates

Magistrate Lee said Wood made a “terrible decision to drive”.

“It’s remarkable that you didn’t get injured to a more significant degree … it’s so lucky that nobody else was hurt in this incident.”

She said that two references provided to the court were glowing.

“One under the hand of the CEO, she has spoken about how you have worked for Hinchinbrook Community Support for over three years, you consistently demonstrate enthusiasm, reliability and you have a strong work ethic, and you are well regarded by your colleagues and supervisors,” she said.

“When she spoke to you about the situation, you were remorseful, you had a clear understanding of the consequences and expressed a genuine desire to take responsibility and make meaningful changes in your life moving forward.”

Magistrate Lee said the CEO had written that Woods would lose his job upon conviction and the loss of his driving licence.

The defendant was convicted, fined $1600 and disqualified from driving for 13 months.

Originally published as Ingham court: Shaun Bailey convicted of drink driving after Bruce Highway accident