In what magistrates are calling one of the most bizarre drink-driving cases to hit Queensland courts, a Townsville man has pleaded guilty while presenting an extraordinary set of circumstances that led to his offence.
Kemp John van Wyk faced Charters Towers Magistrates Court this week after recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.121 - more than double the legal limit - during a late-night incident that unfolded like something from a Australian outback thriller.
The Unusual Defence
Van Wyk's legal representative presented a scenario that would make any Queenslander pause. The court heard the motorist found himself in what he described as a genuine emergency situation, though specific details of the 'most unusual set of circumstances' remain before the court.
Magistrate Robert Hasted acknowledged the peculiar nature of the case, noting it wasn't your standard drink-driving matter. "This appears to be a most unusual set of circumstances," Hasted remarked during proceedings.
The Legal Outcome
Despite the unusual context, van Wyk ultimately pleaded guilty to the drink-driving charge. The court heard he was caught behind the wheel with a significant alcohol concentration in his system on December 9.
The case has drawn attention from legal experts and community members alike, highlighting the complex situations that sometimes lead to traffic offences in regional Queensland.
As the matter continues through the legal system, it serves as a reminder that even in extraordinary circumstances, drink-driving laws remain strictly enforced across Queensland.
