Drink-driver jailed over reckless ride

A DRUNK man behind the wheel stuck up his middle finger to two people who had to run out of the way to avoid being hit by his car, before crashing into a parked car and fleeing the scene of the wreckage.

The court heard police received 15 calls from concerned members of the public who witnessed Corey Jay Shepherd’s reckless driving on multiple roads on October 31, 2019.

Two even had to run out of the way to avoid being hit by his car as he circled a roundabout, with Shepherd giving them the finger.

“He’s had the audacity while he’s driving dangerously and intoxicated to stick his middle finger up to innocent witnesses,” police prosecutor Subarna Raut told Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday.

Shepherd continued to speed, do burnouts and fishtails before eventually crashing into a parked car in Charles St, leaving the scene without providing his details. He produced a blood alcohol concentration reading of 0.178.

Mr Raut told the court the 30-year-old’s past was littered with irresponsible driving.

Defence lawyer Lea Bethune said Shepherd suffered depression and was using alcohol to self-medicate.

“He has actively worked towards his own rehabilitation, he’s acknowledged what he has been doing wrong, he wants to be a better person in this community,” she said.

“He’s willing to make payments of restitution or compensation … he doesn’t feel he should get away with damaging another person’s vehicle.”

Ms Bethune said her client was addressing his alcohol abuse problems by accessing services.

Shepherd pleaded guilty to a raft of serious traffic offences.

Acting Magistrate John Smith said the man had placed members of the community at risk with his driving. “It needs to be shown to you that this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated by the courts or by the community,” Mr Smith said.

Shepherd was sentenced to 18 months jail, with a parole release date fixed for July 23.

He was also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

HE’S HAD THE AUDACITY WHILE HE’S DRIVING DANGEROUSLY AND INTOXICATED TO STICK HIS MIDDLE FINGER UP TO INNOCENT WITNESSES.

SUBARNA RAUT