Duane Arnol: Bizarre reason Cressy security guard was drug driving

A Tasmanian security guard has been busted for drug-driving after a mate spiked his drink following an argument with his girlfriend.

A Tasmanian security guard had his drink spiked with methamphetamine by a ‘friend’ who was trying to cheer him up following a fight with his girlfriend, a court has heard.

Cressy security guard Duane Clifford Arnol, 59, was then intercepted for a random breath and drug test by Tasmania Police officers on his way home, returning a positive saliva sample.

Arnol pleaded guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday to the charge of driving while a proscribed drug is present in oral fluid.

The court heard the offence was detected about 2am on September 4 last year at St Leonards Rd, St Leonards.

Defence lawyer Fran McCracken told the court her client had had an argument with his girlfriend and drove to his friends house for a few drinks.

While there, his friend inexplicably spiked one of Arnol’s drinks, Ms McCracken told the court.

“His friend slipped something into his drink, he felt affected by something but drove in any event,” she said.

“He had no intention of wanting to consume at the time, there were no issues with his manner of driving.”

Ms McCracken told the court her client cared for his dependent mother full-time and would make an application for a restricted licence.

Arnol was fined $700, ordered to pay costs of $89.30, and disqualified for six months, adjourned for 42 days to enable the restricted licence application.