Blind drunk driver, 28, reverses his girlfriend's car through a pub while four times over the limit – moments after being thrown out of the venue
- Nathan Simpson, 28, reversed into the doors of Robina Pavilion in August 2020
- He was four times over the legal alcohol limit and was on parole at the time
- Simpson, who has never worked, was thrown out of the pub due to intoxication
- Simpson was jailed for 18 months at Southport District Court on Wednesday
An unemployed drunk driver who reversed his girlfriend's car through a Gold Coast pub while four times over the limit has been jailed for 18 months.
Nathan Simpson, 28, faced Southport District Court on Wednesday over a string of driving offences relating to the crash at the Robina Pavilion on August 5 last year.
The court heard Simpson had been drinking at the venue, on Ron Penhaligon Way, when he was asked to leave for being too drunk, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.
Simpson got into a verbal argument with one of the staff members before exiting the premises and getting behind the wheel, with his girlfriend in the passenger seat.
Nathan Simpson, 28, reversed his girlfriend's car through the glass doors of the Robina Pavilion on August 5 last year (pictured)
CCTV footage tendered in court showed the red car reversing through the glass doors into a walkway about 8.30pm as staff members leapt out of its path.
Simpson drove away, shedding part of his tyre at the scene, before he was taken into police custody where he blew an alcohol reading of 0.202 - fourfold the 0.05 legal limit.
He pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, wilful damage and driving without a licence and was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.
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'Quite simply, what you did was extremely dangerous and extremely reckless,' Judge William Everson.
Simpson, who has never had a job, has previously been caught driving without a licence on six other occasions and was on parole at the time of the crash.
The court heard the car continued down until it smashed into an obstacle on the far wall, leaving glass and debris strewn across the walkway.
Defence barrister James McNab said his client had an unhappy childhood, left school in year 8, and had spent time homeless.
Simpson will be eligible for parole on October 16.
Staff members could be seen leaping out of the car's path as it reversed down the pedestrian walkway
