Repeat drunk driver jailed for scarily high readings
A RECIDIVIST drink-driver who presents a clear and present danger to both himself and innocent members of the Hinchinbrook community has been jailed for multiple instances of high-level drink-driving.
Timacoy Nolan Bamaga, 52, pleaded guilty in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday to recording 0.227, almost five times over the legal alcohol limit, at the BP Truckstop on Townsville Road, Bruce Highway, at 9pm on April 7.
Police prosecutor Bimal Raut said police observed Bamaga struggling to open his fuel tank as he attempted to refuel, and was unsteady on his feet.
Less than 48 hours later, Bamaga was back behind the wheel, busted for drink-driving just under four times the legal limit, 0.192, when intercepted by Ingham Police at 3am.
The court was told that Bamaga, who also pleaded guilty to the second charge, was on parole when the offences occurred, and had two additional high-level drink-driving convictions from 2016.
Mr Raut said the law was clear and a mandatory term of imprisonment needed to be imposed, describing the charges as serious given the danger to other road users.
Defence lawyer Margaret Crowther urged a period of six months’ jail, wholly suspended for 18 months, to serve as a deterrent.
She said her client, born on Thursday Island, was undergoing treatment for several health conditions, including heart and lung ailments.
She said it was of paramount importance that her client continued to engage in counselling with Lives Lived Well and that his drink-driving problems were addressed.
Magistrate Steven Mosch said: “When you are driving a vehicle with blood alcohol levels this high, you are clearly a danger to yourself and other members of the community.”
He noted the 2016 convictions were both over four times the allowable alcohol limit, including a reading of 0.223.
“It is very serious that you have four charges of driving under the influence of liquor within the space of five years.” Mr Mosch said the circumstances were further aggravated by the fact Bamaga had been on parole for violence-related offending in 2019.
Bamaga was jailed for a total of three months, to serve at least one month behind bars.
He was disqualified from driving for two years.