Qld: Conviction for drink-driving Qld cop

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-2006
Qld: Conviction for drink-driving Qld cop

By Suzanne Klotz

BRISBANE, April 6 AAP - A magistrate has convicted a Queensland police constable of
drink driving, partly because it has recently become so prevalent in the force.

Andrew Thomas Anderson, 37, pleaded guilty in the Brisbane Magistrates Court today
to driving under the influence of alcohol on March 15 this year.

Anderson was the fifth off-duty police officer this year in Queensland to be charged
with drink driving.

Magistrate William Smith, who fined Anderson $1,200, said he had to record a conviction
against the background of a spate of such offences by police.

"Clearly having regard to the high reading and the nature of your occupation and the
nature of things which have occurred recently in the police force, a conviction should
be recorded," Mr Smith said.

The court was told Anderson, a senior constable from the state crime operations command,
had a blood alcohol reading of 0.196 - almost four times the legal limit.

Anderson was off duty and riding his own motorcycle when he was breath tested at Toowong
in Brisbane's inner west.

Mr Smith said he accepted Anderson was held in high esteem and had a good record with
the police force.

Defence solicitor Neil Lawler had argued against a conviction, saying Anderson had
had an otherwise blameless life and his chances of promotion would be jeopardised.

But Mr Smith said even though he may not be as easily promoted, Anderson would certainly
not lose his job.

He said he had dealt with police inspectors on drink driving charges who had caused
accidents and injured people, but had still kept their jobs.

Last month Premier Peter Beattie had to come to the defence of the Queensland police
service after a spate of drink driving charges within a few months.

AAP smk/sc/cjh/sp

KEYWORD: ANDERSON

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.