Paragraph 13 reads: "Mr Chivers' barrister, Chris Rosser, said his client was suffering from depression and had been off his medication for four days before the offence."

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/07/01/13115_gold-coast-top-story.html

Banned boozer jailed

Renee Redmond

01Jul08

A MAN caught doing burnouts outside the Mudgeeraba Police Station before crashing his car into a fence was yesterday sent to jail.

Paul John Chivers, 35, of Mudgeeraba, pleaded guilty in Southport Magistrates Court to driving with a blood-alcohol reading of .254, driving while disqualified, failing to stop and making unnecessary noise and smoke.

Magistrate Terry Duroux sentenced Chivers to eight months' imprisonment, to be released on parole after three months.

He also disqualified Chivers from driving until 2013 and fined him a total of $2000.

Police prosecutor Trudi Jobberns said the offence occurred on June 14 about 11.55pm, outside the Mudgeeraba Police Station.

"Police heard a loud screech and looked out the window to see a car spinning its back wheels," she said.

"Police saw the man accelerate at speed."

Ms Jobberns said police followed Chivers, who continued to drive after their police car's lights and sirens were turned on.

"He failed to negotiate a turn and crashed into a fence, causing extensive damage," she said.

"He told police he had consumed between 12 and 14 Tooheys New stubbies since 9am. He said he was drunk and wanted to get the car home."

Police seized his car for 48 hours.

Magistrate Terry Duroux said it was an 'absolutely outrageous reading' and noted there were two previous drink-driving convictions on his history.

"It is somewhat unbelievable that a person would commit burnouts in such close proximity to a police station," he said.

"When a court has disqualified you from driving, it is one of the most potent sentencing options we have.

"If you drive in contravention of that with an outrageous (alcohol) reading, the court will be merciless."

Mr Chivers' barrister, Chris Rosser, said his client was suffering from depression and had been off his medication for four days before the offence.

"Alcohol was used as a form of tranquilliser," he said.

"One sure way of attracting police attention is to do a burnout outside their office.

"He was in a state in which he puts it as 'having no real idea what I'm doing'. It wasn't a thumbing of the nose."

Chivers will be released on parole on September 30.