Mum 3x the limit with infant

A YOUNG mother who blew 0.145 after a two-day bender and then had her infant child in the car has been spared a conviction.

Gracey May Brimble, 21, faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday where she pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving and obstructing a police officer.

The court was told Brimble came to the attention of police about 12.15pm on September 10 this year after she narrowly avoided colliding with a marked police vehicle in Toowoomba.

Police prosecutor Tahlia Boettcher said police stopped Brimble, and when they spoke to her they found she had her infant daughter in the back seat of the vehicle.

After being told to get out of the vehicle, police attempted to search Brimble, who then became aggressivet, telling police “I’ll fight you”.

Ms Boettcher told the court Brimble repeatedly prevented police from completing their search until she was eventually detained and taken to Toowoomba Police Station where she recorded a breath test reading of 0.145.

Brimble’s lawyer, barrister Wes Seewald, said his client had been on a two-day drinking bender which saw her consume a high amount of spirits up until 11pm the day prior.

Mr Seewald said Brimble had slept during the night and felt fine to drive, and was surprised the reading was that high when she was stopped by police.

“In any event, she certainly should not have taken that risk and driven,” Mr Seewald said.

Magistrate Kay Ryan said Brimble’s actions were “not very good behaviour”, and the offending was aggravated by the fact Brimble’s daughter was in the car at the time but took into consideration her young age and limited criminal history.

Ms Ryan fined Brimble $750 and disqualified her from driving for four months. No conviction was recorded.