Caught twice in one night

A TOOWOOMBA man caught behind the wheel twice in the same night with a breath/alcohol reading above the legal limit has paid a hefty price for a night out.

Timothy Charles Russell had initially been pulled over by police while driving on Ruthven St near the James St intersection about 1am, January 27, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

He blew a breath/alcohol reading of 0.146, police prosecutor Sergeant Mike Robinson told the court.

Released from the watch house on bail, the 36-year-old was found behind the steering wheel of his vehicle which was in the driveway of his home where police had gone at 2.05am.

Swearing loudly before throwing his car keys onto the roof of the carport, Russell then blew a breath/alcohol reading of 0.13 and was charged with being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit, Sgt Robinson said.

He then struggled with police officers arresting him and was charged with obstructing police.

The father of four pleaded guilty to both drink driving matters as well as to the charge of obstructing police.

His solicitor Shane MacDonald told the court his client instructed he had been in an argument with a family member earlier in the evening which was why he had driven in the first place.

He had no previous of similar offending, Mr MacDonald said.

Magistrate Damian Carroll fined Russell $1000 and disqualified him from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for five months on the first offence and another four months for being in charge of a motor vehicle while over the legal limit.

Mr Carroll told Russell he would be subject to an interlock device for 12 months when he eventually got his licence back.