L-plater’s big night costs big next day

AFTER a “big night” bringing in the new year, an L-plater was still drunk the next afternoon when he crashed his new motorbike into another rider.

In Southport Magistrates Court Joshua Clinton Minifie (inset) pleaded guilty to midrange drink-driving along Hope Island Rd, Oxenford, on January 1.

Prosecutor Sergeant James Pedlow said police attended a two-motorbike crash about 2pm. Minifie, 28, returned a positive breath test, blowing 0.60, meaning it was illegal to ride the 2022 Kawasaki given his status as a learner.

Defence lawyer Mark Donnelly, of Donnelly Law Group, revealed the other motorcycle involved in the collision was being ridden by one of Minifie’s friends.

Mr Donnelly said the crash was an “accident” following his client’s “big night” drinking the evening prior.

He said Minifie hadn’t consumed any alcohol the day of the collision.

“It was a hot day, he was hungover (and consumed) no fluids or food and that’s impacted on his (blood alcohol) concentration levels,” the solicitor said.

“New Year’s Eve caught up with him.”

The court heard the duo were stopped at traffic lights when Minifie’s clutch “slipped” and he ran into his friend’s bike, “causing a couple of thousands of dollars in damage”.

The defence said Minifie was employed full-time as a butcher, meaning he had the capacity to pay a fine, but had already “suffered monetary loss” given the cost of damages.

Mr Donnelly asked the magistrate to consider imposing the minimum period of disqualification on Minifie.

“He’s learnt a tough lesson,” the lawyer said.

Magistrate Veena Goverdhan said it was “very lucky” that the clutch slip only damaged the bikes.

Minifie was fined $350 and disqualified for one month. No conviction was recorded.