Driver in court for fifth time

HAVING few beers to numb pain and then driving off for medication late at night proved the downfall of a 42year-old Toowoomba man who was caught drink-driving for the fifth time.

Police had pulled over Darren Phillip Collitt as he drove on Ruthven St near the Stenner St intersection about 2am, April 24, Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard.

Collitt blew breath/alcohol reading of 0.158, police prosecutor Bettina Trenear said.

Collitt pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of liquor.

Magistrate Gary Finger noted this was Collitt’s fifth drink-driving offence.

“Doesn’t he get the message?” Mr Finger asked.

Solicitor Joe McConnell said Collitt’s last drink-driving offence was some time ago.

He said Collitt had been in pain and had some beers before driving to get medication.

His client had since done the Queensland Traffic Offender’s Program, he said.

Mr Finger fined Collitt $1200 and disqualified from driving for eight months.