A Toowoomba Clydesdales rugby league player made a shock admission to police when he was pulled over, a court has heard.
Drink and drug driving remains a major contributor to fatalities and injuries in Australia.
Alex Clint Donn was pulled over on Tooth Street on April 22, and pleaded guilty a month later in Warwick Magistrates Court to drink driving over the middle alcohol limit on Monday.
Police prosecutor Steve de Lissa told the court that police observed a vehicle on Bisley Street which was driving at speed, swerving quickly and cutting corners.
“The vehicle was travelling in a circle and appeared to be lost,” Sergeant De Lissa said.
The 20-year-old was pulled over and gave officers his licence and told them “I’m going to go over, just lock me up”.
He told police he was told a family member had passed away, grabbed his bag and was “heading to Sydney to be with his family”.
The P2 licence holder then blew a reading of 0.127 BAC.
Alex Clint Donn leaving Warwick Magistrate Court on Monday May 15
He is currently listed in the Western Clydesdales Under 21 Squad while also being a concreter in the Southern Downs area.
Magistrate Virginia Sturgess said at 1am, he was always going to be over the limit, and while on a provisional licence there was a strict zero alcohol policy.
“You were well and truly over the limit. It’s not an error of judgement because you were well and truly aware when you told the police you knew you were over the limit,” she said.
“It was never going to be a good idea when you’ve had that much alcohol on board at one in the morning that it was the time to hop in the car and drive.
“It was not a great idea to drive, and truly you were never going to be acceptable to drive, and your manner of driving is what brought the police to you.”
Donn was fined $600 and suspended from driving for four months.