Benjamin Jess: Longford plasterer guilty of huge DUI, drug driving

A Tasmanian tradie will be off the road for nearly two years after attempting to drive on a highway while more than three times the legal blood-alcohol limit and with two drugs in his system.

A Tasmanian plasterer was more than three times the legal blood-alcohol limit and high on cocaine when he attempted to drive himself home from a mate’s place after a co-worker’s going-away drinks.

Longford tradie Benjamin Peter Jess pleaded guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court on Thursday to possessing cocaine, driving with cocaine and methamphetamine in his system, and driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

The court heard Jess was intercepted by police on June 10 as he attempted to merge onto the Midland Hwy at Breadalbane.

He was discovered to have a blood-alcohol content of 0.157 per cent, be in possession of cocaine and have the two drugs in his system.

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Defence lawyer Grant Tucker told the court his client had been celebrating a co-worker’s going away and, as it sometimes did with young men, “drinks turned into a bigger night than expected”.

Jess had organised to stay the night at a friend’s, but inexplicably attempted to drive himself home at the night’s conclusion.

Longford plasterer Benjamin Peter Jess. Picture: Facebook

He lost his licence instantly and it had had a “horrendous” effect on Jess’ life already, Mr Tucker said, including by impacting his partner, with whom he shares young children.

He had already felt the “full deterrent effect” of his punishment and would continue to do so, Mr Tucker said.

The court heard Jess was baffled as to the presence of meth in his system as he denied taking it, but admitted recreational cocaine use.

Magistrate Ken Stanton noted Jess, who he described as being on a “cocktail” of substances, had a poor traffic history, although the current offences are the most significant he has faced.

Jess was placed on a two-year community corrections order conditional on him performing 63 hours of community service, fined $2500, ordered to pay costs and levies of nearly $300, and lost his licence for 21 months, backdated to the offence date.