Drunken civilian caught with ice

A drunken civilian dobbed into police after he was kicked off a military base was found in possession of meth when he refused a breath test for suspected impaired driving.

Appearing in the Ingham Magistrates Court on Thursday, Christopher John Ghelfi pleaded guilty to failing to submit to a roadside breath test, failing to supply a specimen of breath or blood and possession of half a gram of dangerous drug ice on March 26.

Police prosecutor Jordan Theed said the Australian Army alerted police after an apparently intoxicated Ghelfi attempted to infiltrate a temporary military base in Ingham but failed when he called soldiers “crack people”.

He said that when the defendant’s vehicle was subsequently intercepted, he only admitted to drinking two beers despite showing obvious signs of impairment by an intoxicating substance or substances.

Mr Theed said that when he refused to provide a specimen he was arrested and police discovered two bags containing a total of 0.495 grams of methylamphetamine in his trousers.

He said Ghelfi subsequently refused three demands to provide a specimen of breath or blood at the police station.

The prosecutor said the defendant also denied owning the meth in his pocket.

Ghelfi was fined $300 for drug possession and $300 for failing to co-operate with the roadside breath test. Convictions were not recorded. He was convicted, fined $600 and disqualified from driving for six months, on top of the nearly three months he had been banned from driving.

Magistrate Peter Smid said he was being “ridiculously lenient” when the defendant attempted to argue the toss.

“Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth Mr Ghelfi, that’s a beaut result for you.”