Cop drove on a bender
Relapsed alcoholic three times over limit
A POLICE officer could face harsh sanctions after being caught driving more than three times over the legal limit and drinking in public.
Constable Scott Nickolls pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday to drink-driving, failing to appear in court and two counts of being drunk in public.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Greg Mckenzie said Nickolls was pulled over in a random breath-test in Broadbeach Waters at 10.20am on January 13 and observed to have red wine stains on his lips and teeth.
The off-duty police officer blew a blood alcohol concentration of 0.174. The 49-yearold failed to appear in court on February 3 and then was found drinking red wine on the street on February 5 and 7.
Barrister Troy Schmidt said his client was a chronic alcoholic who had relapsed.
“As a consequence he was evicted from his accommodation which led to him drinking in the park next door to his accommodation,” he said.
“The offending is for a very short period, just under a month, and has arisen as a result of his alcohol abuse.”
Mr Schmidt said Nickolls had been a police officer for almost three years and could face sanctions or disciplinary action from the QPS, including a pay cut or delays rising up the ranks.
“He has actually been suspended by the QPS and obviously his job is in jeopardy,” Mr Schmidt said.
“He accepts that his behaviour was inappropriate, he’s very upset and embarrassed.”
Magistrate Cathy-Ann McLennan said she accepted that his alcohol condition had relapsed and he had been on a “bender”.
“It is to your credit that you’ve now had the wake-up call and realised that you needed help,” she said. “I am prepared to accept that it’s a sickness that you suffer from that caused these offences.”
Ms McLennan sentenced Nickolls to a $1000 fine and disqualified his licence for seven months.
No convictions were recorded.
A QPS spokeswoman declined to comment.