Speeding fine reduced

A MECHANIC facing a hefty fine for speeding on his way to repair a bulldozer trapped in a forest fire has had his penalty reduced.

Andrew James Smith, however, was convicted of driving under the influence of methamphetamine during a second, unrelated, traffic stop when he appeared in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday morning.

Smith pleaded guilty to travelling at 123km/h in a 100km/h zone on Stone River Rd on December 1, 2019, and drug driving on Townsville Rd,

Ingham, on March 11. An application for a work licence to support his family, including a de facto partner and two children, aged two years and seven weeks, was immediately denied by Magistrate Ross Mack who noted the defendant had lost his licence less than a year ago and did not qualify.

Regarding the drug-driving charge, defence lawyer Sarah Belford urged Magistrate Mack to impose the minimum disqualification period, given his family circumstances.

During the hearing it emerged that Smith had intended to plead not guilty to speeding and that the prosecution had prepared a evidence.

Prosecutor Bimal Raut said there was no record of Smith telling police about his call-out to repair the bulldozer that had broken down clearing a fire break near Wallaman Falls.

Ms Belford said her client believed he would get to the brief of bulldozer quicker if he simply copped the on-the-spot fine of $444.

Magistrate Mack the fine to $100.

Smith was convicted of drug driving, fined $500 and disqualified from holding or obtaining a licence for six months. reduced