Michael Strain: Micksology bartending boss guilty of high-range DUI, dangerous driving
A Gold Coast business owner who has been a familiar face in the local hospitality industry for more than a decade has been sentenced for driving dangerously while five times the legal limit.
An alcoholic Gold Coast hospitality veteran with his own mobile bartending business is set to exit the industry after admitting to a protracted episode of dangerous driving while more than five times the legal blood-alcohol limit.
Nerang man Michael Gary Strain, 37, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on November 17, where he pleaded guilty to offences of dangerous driving while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, driving while under the influence of liquor, and driving unlicensed.
All offences occurred on the northern Gold Coast on August 19 this year.
Acting Magistrate Sarah Thompson told the court police received a report from a motorist they had witnessed another vehicle drift out of a lane on to a shoulder before correcting.
The witness told officers they managed to hail Strain down, who told the witness he would not get back behind the wheel, but when he did, the witness continued to follow him.
Magistrate Thompson told the court the witness estimated they then saw Strain swerve out of his lane into oncoming traffic about 20 times, as well as breaking heavily to perform a sudden U-turn, forcing other motorists to take evasive action.
The period of dangerous driving was estimated to have lasted 20 minutes, only coming to an end when the witness was able to block Strain on Pine Ridge Rd at Biggera Waters after the defendant attempted another U-turn but struck the kerb.
Strain made admissions to drinking, telling arresting officers he had “held a party” and was driving for the purpose of “returning glasses,” Magistrate Thompson said.
A breath analysis returned a reading of 0.258 per cent blood-alcohol content.
The court heard Strain had a dated entry on his traffic record for drink driving, but other than that had no relevant traffic or criminal history.
Defence lawyer Torik Dib told the court his client entered the hospitality industry after leaving high school, working for more than a decade at Marina Mirage’s Sunset Bar & Grill, before latterly working for several years at a Gold Coast superyacht charter business.
Strain also established his own mobile bartending business, Micksology, Mr Dib said.
However, the immediate licence suspension imposed after Strain was charged meant he had been unable to make shifts, and his future career prospects were uncertain, as Strain’s problematic alcohol consumption meant it was not sound for him to work in licensed venues.
Regarding the offending, Mr Dib said his client was suffering mental health issues at the time.
He tendered a number of letters and other documentary evidence attesting to Strain’s engagement with psychology and rehab, and his abstinence from alcohol since being charged.
Magistrate Thompson placed Strain on 12 months’ probation and disqualified his licence for 12 months, with no convictions recorded.
More Coverage
Originally published as Michael Strain: Micksology bartending boss guilty of high-range DUI, dangerous driving
