Drunken donuts regret

A LABOURER doing “donuts” down a Gold Coast street before crashing in to a traffic light pole when he was more than four times the legal alcohol limit has broken down in court.

Jade Thomas Clausen’s crash in his Ford Falcon ute on Beaudesert-Nerang Road, Nerang, about 7.30pm on September 26 last year closed the road for three hours while repairs were made to the light pole.

He had a blood alcohol reading of 0.22 per cent. The legal limit is 0.05 per cent.

The 43-year-old was tearful in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving under the influence of liquor.

“If I had killed or hurt someone that night, I could not live with myself,” he said.

“I apologise, I do take my licence seriously.

“I’m really ashamed of myself — I wasn’t thinking clearly that night.”

Magistrate Michelle Dooley sentenced him to 12 months’ jail, which was wholly suspended, and disqualified him from driving for 2½ years.

She also ordered he pay more than $11,000 restitution for repairs to fix the pole.

“I have ordered that because I am not ordering you to do any time in actual custody,” she said.

“Paying compensation is your way to show society you are taking responsibility for what you did on that day.”

Ms Dooley said such behaviour on the road was “not going to be tolerated by the community”.

Police prosecutor

Senior

Constable Lewis Butterfield said the ute did several “large donuts” before skidding sideways, doing another donut and coming to a stop on the other side of the road facing traffic.

“There was a reasonable amount of traffic at the time.

Clausen then sped off and smacked into a nearby traffic light on Tibbing Street.

Sen-Const Butterfield told the court Energex had to be called and the road was closed for three hours in order to fix the light.

Defence solicitor Mark Donnelly, of Donnelly Law Group, said Clausen had a row after drinking while visiting his son.

“He chose to drove, which is a decision which was foolish and dangerous,” he said.

Mr Donnelly said Clausen’s last drink driving offence was about 20 years ago.