Playboy Model Trembles in Court Over Drunk Driving Collision
A Gold Coast model, known for appearances in Playboy Australia and Maxim Australia, was visibly shaking while facing court for causing a two-vehicle crash while driving with a blood-alcohol level nearly five times the legal limit. Australian model Samantha Stubbs, aged 30, entered a guilty plea in the Southport Magistrates' Court earlier this month to the charge of driving under the influence of a high-range concentration of liquor.
Nursing Career in Jeopardy After Incident
The Point Paradise glamour model is also a registered nurse, but the court was informed that her professional future is now at serious risk following the incident, which occurred in Surfers Paradise on March 8. Police were dispatched to the scene around 7.30pm after receiving reports of a woman driving erratically prior to the collision. Stubbs initially claimed to officers that she had consumed only a single glass of wine.
However, police noted the strong smell of liquor on her breath, her slurred speech, and her aggressive and argumentative behaviour towards them during the encounter. Stubbs refused to undergo a breath test at the scene, but a subsequent blood sample taken at Gold Coast University Hospital revealed a staggering blood alcohol reading of 0.242 per cent, far exceeding the legal limit of 0.05 per cent.
Model's Defence and Court Sentencing
The court heard that Stubbs had no relevant prior criminal history and had previously worked as a registered nurse across several aged care facilities. Her defence lawyer, Brooke Winter, stated that her client would be unable to continue working as a nurse due to the loss of her driving licence. Ms Winter described Stubbs as a highly respected member of the community with impeccable character, according to reports from the Gold Coast Bulletin.
The lawyer emphasised that Stubbs was highly embarrassed, having never faced court before, and was shaking like a leaf during the sentencing hearing on April 13. Ms Winter added that Stubbs had been off the roads since the crash and faced the added punishment of paying for the damage to both vehicles out of her own pocket, as insurance companies refused to cover any costs due to her intoxication.
Magistrate's Stern Rebuke and Penalties
Magistrate Lisa O'Neill did not mince words, lashing out at Stubbs for driving while drunk and stating there was no way she should have been in control of a vehicle. Magistrate O'Neill also expressed bewilderment that the offending occurred given Stubbs' training and work as a nurse, which should have informed her of the dangers.
Stubbs was fined $1,400 and had her licence disqualified for 11 months, escaping a formal conviction. However, she will be subject to a mandatory vehicle interlock program for a minimum of 12 months after her disqualification period ends. This device requires the driver to pass a breath test before the vehicle can start, aiming to prevent future incidents.
The case highlights the severe consequences of drink driving, even for those with no prior record, impacting careers, finances, and personal reputation.
