Drug-drivers told they’re ‘old enough to know better’

TWO middle-aged Collinsville men who pleaded guilty to drug-driving have been told by a magistrate that taking drugs was something he expected of “young fellas” but not older men like them.

The men appeared one after the other in Bowen Magistrates Court and both pleaded guilty to one count of drug-driving.

Jason Eric Beauchamp, 48, appeared first. He had been caught with methylamphetamine and marijuana in his saliva in June.

Solicitor Peta Vernon said Beauchamp had an “unenviable history” but there were no like offences on his record.

Magistrate James Morton told Beauchamp he was no longer a kid.

“I know Collinsville has a drug problem, like everywhere else,” Mr Morton said.

“You’re 48 years of age – this is what I expect from the kids, the young fellas.”

Beauchamp was fined $450 and disqualified from driving for two months. A conviction was recorded.

Next up was Charles William Smith, who was caught with methylamphetamine in his saliva, also in June.

Solicitor Peta Vernon said the 58-year-old man had been working in the professional cleaning industry.

Mr Morton asked Smith what he was doing taking the drugs, to which Smith replied that he was at a barbecue and smoked it.

The magistrate warned Smith he had now made himself known to the Collinsville police.

“Mr

Smith, let this be a wake-up call to you because what you’ve done now is you’ve told the local authorities that you’re a drug user,” Mr Morton said.

“It might feel like you’re being harassed and that’s your own doing because you’ve opened a can of worms.”

Smith was also fined $450 and was disqualified from driving for two months.

A conviction recorded.

I KNOW COLLINSVILLE HAS A DRUG PROBLEM, LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE. YOU’RE 48 YEARS OF AGE — THIS IS WHAT I EXPECT FROM THE KIDS, THE YOUNG FELLAS.

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