A Tamworth carpenter must pay $1400 in court-ordered fines and apply to drive with an interlock device after pleading guilty to breaking the law on a night out in Nimbin.
Joel Bayley Robinson was at a gathering in Nimbin in late December when he started to feel uncomfortable about some of the other guests, the Lismore Local Court heard last week.
It was at that point, his judgment influenced by alcohol, that he made the ‘poor decision’ to drive back to his holiday park accommodation, a statement provided to court read.
Police pulled Mr Robinson over on the way back owing to his manner of driving.
A breath test recorded him in the middle range over the legal limit of alcohol permitted to drive, an offence carrying a maximum penalty of $2,200 and/or nine months’ imprisonment.
Further police checks revealed the van Mr Robinson was driving was unregistered and there were two people lying in the back.
Officers also found a small amount of psilocybin, which the magistrate said was in the form of ‘magic mushrooms’.
Mr Robinson was arrested and his driver licence suspended.
Boss ‘surprised’ by employee’s time in Nimbin
The court heard Mr Robinson hadn’t any committed any traffic offences since incurring a demerit point from his licence in 2014 and that he had completed the state’s Traffic Offenders Program.
The magistrate noted a character reference letter from Mr Robinson’s employer, saying he was ‘surprised’ when he heard of his employee’s time in Nimbin.
Mr Robinson had been working for him since 2023, the letter stated, and was a diligent employee.
The magistrate referred to Mr Robinson’s submitted financial commitments and need to drive for his employment showing impacts of driver disqualification.
Mr Robinson pleaded guilty on Wednesday 11 February in the Lismore Local Court to all four charges related to his offences in Nimbin.
No penalty for ‘magic mushroom’ possession
The magistrate ordered him to pay a $600 penalty for the drink-driving offence and to serve the remainder of a three-month mandatory minimum driver disqualification period.
Mr Robinson may reapply for a licence from 28 March on condition he use an interlock driver licence for twelve months, else he will be disqualified from driving for five years.
He was ordered to pay $400 each for the offences of driving an unregistered vehicle and with two people not using seatbelts/restraints.
The magistrate did not impose a penalty for possession of a prohibited drug, under section 10A of the act.
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