A DRUNK and disqualified driver pursued by police for over 400km from Townsville to Mackay at high speeds has lost his licence for almost five years and been jailed for 18 months.
The father of two had an alcohol reading three times the legal limit of .170 per cent.
But it's believed to have been much higher as the pursuit was ended five hours after he got behind the wheel following a drinking session.
Sean Joseph Preston, 22, pleaded guilty yesterday in the Townsville Magistrates Court to nine charges including dangerous driving, drink driving, driving while disqualified, four fail to stop for police and two theft of fuel.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Deb Bisley said the multiple police chase started at Rasmussen on September 7 when Preston avoided a random breath test about 2am.
"A white Holden Commodore was seen pulling into an IGA car park and drive out the other entrance," she said.
Townsville police pursued but the chase was called off when the vehicle failed to stop.
Preston was then seen at an Alligator Creek Caltex service station driving off without paying for $49 worth of fuel.
The Ayr police were next to attempt intercepting the defendant as he travelled south on the Bruce Highway at dangerously high speeds.
"They attempted to intercept and he accelerated heavily away - at 170km in a 100km zone," Sgt Bisley said.
Ayr police spotted Preston on Queen St soon after where he failed to give-way to a patrol car at a roundabout speeding away in a 70km/h zone at more than 142km/h on the wrong side of the road.
Bowen police were next, their attempt to intercept the car parked at a construction site was foiled when reversed away into a U-turn and drove off at 138km/h in an 80km/h zone.
The defendant then drove off without paying for $52 worth of fuel at Airlie Beach Mobil service station.
Mackay police, who heard the pursuits over the radio, ended the escapade five hours later at 7am.
"He was parked in by traffic at a red light and was arrested," Sgt Bisley said.
Magistrate Smid refused to accept the defendant's dangerous high-speed highway dash was all because of an alcohol problem.
Defence lawyer Marie Kerfoot argued her client was turning his troubled times around.
"He wants a family life and wants to be alcohol-free,"' she said.
Mr Smid was also skeptical about that argument remarking"too many people like you (Preston) claim to be getting their life together just before a magistrate sentences them."
The magistrate sentenced Preston, who has spent six months in custody already and was on probation for a break and enter offence, to 18 months' prison with a parole release date later this month.
The defendant was disqualified from driving for four years for unlicensed driving, three months for drink driving, six months for dangerous operation and two months for each failing to stop offence. He was fined $400 for the fuel thefts.
comments:
firstly, i seriously think that the state police needs to have a better way in catching these reckless drunk drivers other chasing them across the state but ends up losing them, its such a waste. Second, for me the punishment sentenced to this guy is a bit lenient. Come on, this guy could cause an accident which fatal innocent lives. Maybe a heftier punishment should be imposed for illegal traffickers who had seen driving dangerously.
on contrary, i do feel the complexity of the judge to sentence those who were found guilty. Like this example, the defendant said that he tried to get his life back together before the magistrate. This could actually give the magistrate a headache to accept that the defendant has really admit his mistake or just to fool the magistrate so they get lighter punishment. however, i am sympathized by this guy as he is still young and have a family to support. i hope the jail sentence, although it is considered short term but will give a valuable lesson. I also hoped that his family can get through which maybe their darkest hour of their life.
In has become a norm in developed countries where watching television is one of the most popular past-time activity compared to the others. Statistics showed that an average of two and a half hours is spent by total population, dwarfing other leisure and past time activities (American Time Use Survey 2003). Amid the statistics and current social trend, people are still arguing about whether this past time activity brings more harm than good to the society. There are sound evidences to support that watching television actually brings a lot of advantages such as improving an individual’s critical thinking, creating more entertaining education environment and exposing people to current issues and other cultures.
First and foremost, television programs can be harnessed to enhance more critical thinking especially among youngsters. Such programs like ‘Friends’ for example, although it is seen to give a negative influences, but teenagers can discuss with their parents how problems are resolved in the program and finding other more viable solution than shown on the television program (Sharif 1999). From there, students are able to engage in critical thinking when it comes to discussing more serious issues of social problems varying from globalization to poverty (Leigh 2001).
Furthermore, the television provides an alternative medium for learning process. Television as an audio-visual medium proven to be a popular teaching tool among preschools as children are more likely to comprehend and maintain information they have seen and heard rather than simply read (Leigh 2001). Besides that, television uses animation and puppets to make learning more fun and entertaining (Rutherford 2002). On the other hand, older children can cope with subjects like science and geography better through variety techniques in television which is unique and interesting (Leigh 2001).
Ideally, television watching can expose younger generation to gain additional knowledge on local and global issues. Current news broadcast on television provide information to the youth about global problems. Consequently, it may encourage them to take part in charity works (Sharif 1999). In addition, television could be a tool for democracy through direct exposure of latest events to the public (Rutherford 2002). By watching tourism and cultural channel, children proved to be more aware of their own culture and other cultures in the world, garnering knowledge of the animal kingdom and discovering sciences that will increase curiosity about the world around them (Leigh 2001 & Rutherford 2002). Apart from that, watching television can revitalize and able to concentrate on things like homework after a tiring day at school (Rutherford 2002).
In conclusion, it is crystal clear that we can harness the television program to gain benefit from it. We need to be remindful so that watching television excessively can be avoided. We should set aside criticism that singled out only on viewing habits that are unhealthy and excessive (Rutherford 2002). Technology made with good side and flipside, it is up to us to analyze and decide which should we take.
In has become a norm in developed countries where watching television is one of the most popular past time activity compared to the others. Statistics showed that an average of two and a half hours is spent by total population, dwarfing other leisure and past time activities (American Time Use Survey 2003). Amid the statistics and current social trend, people are still arguing about whether this past time activity brings more harm than good to the society. There are sound evidences to support that watching television is actually brings a lot of advantages such as improving an individual critical thinking, creating more entertaining education environment and exposing people to current issues and other culture.
First and foremost, television programs can be harnessed to enhance more critical thinking especially among youngsters. Such programs like ‘Friends’ for example, although it is seen to give a negative influences, but teenagers can discuss with their parents how problems are resolved in the program and finding other more viable solution than shown on the television program (Sharif 1999). From there, students especially are being able to engage critical thinking when it comes to discussing more serious issues of social problems varying from globalization to poverty (Leigh 2001).
Furthermore, the television provides an alternative medium for learning process. Television as an audio-visual medium proven to be more popular teaching tool among preschools as they are more likely to comprehend and maintain information they have seen and heard rather than simply read (Leigh 2001). Besides that, television uses animation and puppets to make learning more fun and entertaining (Rutherford 2002). On the other hand, older children can cope with subjects like science and geography better through variety techniques in television which is unique and interesting (Leigh 2001).
Ideally, television watching can expose younger generation to gain additional knowledge on local and global issues. Current news broadcast on television can inform to the youth about global problems. Consequently, it may encourage them to take part in charity works (Sharif 1999). In addition, television could be a tool for democracy through direct exposure of latest events to the public (Rutherford 2002). By watching tourism and cultural channel, children proved to be more aware of their and other cultures in the world, garnering knowledge of the animal kingdom and discovering sciences that will increase curiosity about the world around them (Leigh 2001 & Rutherford 2002). Apart from that, watching television can revitalized and able to concentrate on things like homework after a tiring day at school (Rutherford 2002).
In conclusion, it is crystal clear that we can harness the television program to gain benefit from it. We need to be remindful so that watching television excessively can be avoided. We should set aside criticism that singled out only on viewing habits that are unhealthy and excessive (Rutherford 2002). Technology made with good side and flipside, it is up to us to analyze and decide which should we take.
Obesity among our children has seen an epidemic rise for the past few years and all the fingers are all pointing at the voracious consumption of junk food, which are foods that are believed to be unhealthy and lack in nutrients (Smith 2005). The accusation has some relevance to it as statistic showed that in year 2003, relatively 50 % of children have consume sugar and fat more than recommended, the large source of this came from eating junk foods like fast foods and soda drinks (Australian Nutrition Journal 2004). There is a large debate on should the junk food to be banned from selling in the school canteen or not. I strongly believed that it is indeed a wise solution to ban the sale of junk food in school canteen as it brings a lot of consequences.
Junk food is considered the main culprit of many health problems, including obesity problems. Smith (2005) agrees that eating junk food is a part of healthy diet if taken in moderation. But, the problem is these junk foods are over-consumed by the youngsters (The Food Show 2005). This is backed with the fact that for the past 30 years, the nutritional value of food eaten by Australian children has been falling gradually due to availability of junk foods in school canteens in which more than 50% of schoolchildren buy all their lunches consist of junk foods. This is contributing to weight gain because junk foods raise kilojoule intake and lack physical activity to burn the calories (Tran 2005). Besides that, Dental Association also lauds for banning of soft drinks sale in schools because there is declining trend of dental health in primary-school children (Tran 2005).
Secondly, the chemical additives contained in junk foods are causing behavioural problems in children. Snack foods have a craze towards younger generation. Out of thirteen most popular snack foods, only four of it has high nutritional value (Health Foundation 2005), which means the others have loads of chemical additives used to add flavour, colour or increase their shelf life. This would trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and poor concentration. A child psychologist, Mary Caputo in The Food Show (2005) said that research had revealed that reducing unhealthy foods in children’s diet can improve their behaviour. Jack Green also added that teachers have noticed a clear improvement in student’s behaviour, they are relatively calmer after recess (the Food Show 2005).
Apart from that, the food packaging from junk food has caused some serious litter problems in schools. The pre-packaged meals, crisp packets, cartons, takeaway foods and canned drinks are the major contributor of litter problem as students unethically leave all the rubbishes behind after eating it (The Food Show 2005). School canteens that have already banned the sale of junk food have also reduced their litter problem and consequently reducing the school cleaning cost. Thus, school groundsman can now focus more maintenance for school benefits and image (The Food Show 2005).
In conclusion, I strongly believe that the sale of junk food should be banned in school canteens for the benefit of our younger generation. We should put off their mind from thinking that they can eat junk food whenever they like without any consequences (Tran 2005). If no action to be taken swiftly, one day we might have to pay the piper.
Obesity among our children has seen an epidemic rise for the past few years and the fingers are all pointing at the voracious consumption of junk food, which are foods that are believed to be unhealthy and lack in nutrients (Smith 2005). The accusation has some relevance to it as statistic showed that in year 2003, relatively 50 % of children have consume sugar and fat more than recommended, the large source of this came from eating junk foods like fast foods and soda drinks (Australian Nutrition Journal 2004). There is a large debate on should the junk food to be ban from selling in the school canteen or not. From my respective view, it is indeed wise solution to ban the sale of junk food in school canteen as it brings a lot of consequences.
Including obesity problems, junk food is considered the main culprit of many health problems. Smith (2005) agrees that eating junk food is a part of healthy diet if taken in moderation. But, the problem is these junk foods are over-consumed by the youngsters (The Food Show 2005). This is backed with the fact that for the past 30 years, the nutritional value of food eaten by Australian children has been falling gradually due to availability of junk foods in school canteens in which more than 50% of schoolchildren buy all their lunches consist of junk foods. This is contributing to weight gain because junk foods raise kilojoule intake and lack physical activity to burn the calories (Tran 2005). Besides that, Dental Association also lauds for banning of soft drinks sale in schools because there is declining trend of dental health in primary-school children (Tran 2005).
Secondly, the chemical additives contained in junk foods are causing behavioural problems in children. Snack foods have a craze towards younger generation. Out of thirteen most popular snack foods, only four of it has high nutritional value (Health Foundation 2005), which means he others have loads of chemical additives used to add flavour, colour or increase their shelf life. This would trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and poor concentration. A child psychologist, Mary Caputo in The Food Show (2005) said that research had revealed that reducing unhealthy foods in children’s diet can improve their behaviour. Jack Green also added that teachers have noticed a clear improvement in student’s behaviour, they are relatively calmer after recess (the Food Show 2005).
Apart from that, the food packaging from junk food has caused some serious litter problem in schools. The pre-packaged meals, crisp packets, cartons, takeaway foods and canned drinks are the major contributor of litter problem as students unethically leave all the rubbishes behind after eating it (The Food Show 2005). School canteens that have already banned the sale of junk food have also reduced their litter problem and consequently reducing the school cleaning cost. Thus, school groundsman can now focus more maintenance for school benefits and image (The Food Show 2005).
In conclusion, I strongly believe that the sale of junk food should be ban in school canteens for the benefit of our younger generation. We should put off their mind from thinking that they can eat junk food whenever they like without any consequences (Tran 2005). If no action to be taken swiftly, one day might have to pay the piper.
BALI Nine death row prisoner Scott Rush has been circumcised in a secret jail ceremony in Bali and has told authorities he is learning about Islam.
Authorities at Kerobokan Jail confirmed that Rush had undergone a circumcision on Friday in the jail's Muslim prayer area.
The jail's doctor and other officials were not even aware the circumcision had taken place until the weekend and were angered that such a procedure had been conducted by someone who was not authorised by the jail.
They have since questioned Rush's motives and whether he had really converted to Islam. Rush is a Catholic and his parents are staunchly religious.
As recently as a week ago Rush attending Christian church services at the jail.
The jail's head of education and rehabilitation, Anang, said that Rush had told him he was still learning about Islam.
His answers were complicated,'' Anang said about his discussion with Rush, whom he has told to provide him with more answers today.
And the jail's doctor, Agung Hartawan, who was only aware of the circumcision on the weekend said luckily it was a good job and not bleeding too much.
Dr Hartawan said he had asked Rush if he converted to Islam and that he said: "I want to learn Islam."
And he said when he further questioned Rush about the secretive procedure and whether his parents were even aware of it, that Rush had told him: "This is my right and I just want to know about Islam, I want to learn about Islam.''
Rush is one of three members of the Bali Nine on death row for their role in the heroin trafficking gang. He is due to lodge his final appeal very soon.-Herald Sun
Critique:
The news is about Scott Rush, an Australian who is on trial in Indonesia for drug trafficking has told the court that he had secretly circumcised ( cutting a piece of skin on his private part) on the jail's mosque and learning about islam. However, he did not commit that he has changed religion when asked and the authorities seems suspicious of his intention. If he is proven guilty for drug trafficking, he may faces death sentence there. What disappoints me a comment gave by Peter.T of his ignorance about the muslims and their feqah. One should accept and understand other people's religion and not label them with insulting words. To read the comment made by him, the news can be viewed at http://www.news.com.au/national/bali-nines-scott-rush-circumcised-in-jail-for-islam/story-e6frfkvr-1225864792025
Obesity among our children has seen an epidemic rise for the past few years and the fingers are all pointing at the voracious consumption of junk food, which are foods that are believed to be unhealthy and lack in nutrients (Smith 2005). The accusation has some relevance to it as statistic showed that in year 2003, relatively 50 % of children have consume sugar and fat more than recommended, the large source of this came from eating junk foods like fast foods and soda drinks (Australian Nutrition Journal 2004). There is a large debate on should the junk food to be ban from selling in the school canteen or not. From my respective view, it is indeed wise solution to ban the sale of junk food in school canteen as it brings a lot of consequences.
Including obesity problems, junk food is considered the main culprit of many health problems. Jemma Smith (2005) agrees that eating junk food is a part of healthy diet if taken in moderation. But, the problem is these junk foods are over-consumed by the youngsters (The Food Show 2005). This is backed with the fact that for the past 30 years, the nutritional value of food eaten by Australian children has been falling gradually due to availability of junk foods in school canteens in which more than 50% of schoolchildren buy all their lunches consist of junk foods. This is contributing to weight gain because junk foods raise kilojoule intake and lack physical activity to burn the calories (Tran 2005). Besides that, Dental Association also lauds for banning of soft drinks sale in schools because there is declining trend of dental health in primary-school children (Tran 2005).
Secondly, the chemical additives contained in junk foods are causing behavioural problems in children. Snack foods have a craze towards younger generation. Out of thirteen most popular snack foods, only four of it has high nutritional value (Health Foundation 2005), which means he others have loads of chemical additives used to add flavour, colour or increase their shelf life. This would trigger behavioral problems such as hyperactivity and poor concentration. A child psychologist, Mary Caputo in The Food Show (2005) said that research had revealed that reducing unhealthy foods in children’s diet can improve their behaviour. Jack Green also added that teachers have noticed a clear improvement in student’s behaviour, they are relatively calmer after recess (the Food Show 2005).
Apart from that, the food packaging from junk food has caused some serious litter problem in schools. The pre-packaged meals, crisp packets, cartons, takeaway foods and canned drinks are the major contributor of litter problem as students unethically leave all the rubbishes behind after eating it (The Food Show 2005). School canteens that have already banned the sale of junk food have also reduced their litter problem and consequently reducing the school cleaning cost. Thus, school groundsman can now focus more maintenance for school benefits and image (The Food Show 2005).
In conclusion, I strongly believe that the sale of junk food should be ban in school canteens for the benefit of our younger generation. We should put off their mind from thinking that they can eat junk food whenever they like without any consequences (Tran 2005). If no action to be taken swiftly, one day might have to pay the piper.
The relationship between voracious modernization and global warming has been open to much interpretation and acrimonious debate. Misassumption by individuals about global warming had made them to become ignorant on the issue that is affecting our mother nature. The atmosphere, the most vulnerable place in the earth’s ecological system has been thickened by global warming pollution primarily carbon dioxide had resulted to more heat trapped in the atmosphere. In the documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ (2007, DVD, Paramount Pictures), Albert Gore former US Senator explained two ‘canaries in the coal mine’ as the alarm bell of the signings of global warming. Global warming had triggered severe climate changes and a quick solution should be taken in place to seize the issue.
Statistic shows that the ten hottest years ever measured all had occurred for the last fourteen years (An inconvenient truth, 2007). Temperature increase is taken place all over the world in which leads to overwhelming effects such as the massive heat wave which killed thirty-five thousands of people in Europe. The ocean is not escaped from the increase in temperature as well; consequentially produces stronger storms as can be seen in the last couple of years like the Ivan, Jeannie, Frances and most devastating, the Katrina. Before the Katrina hits New Orleans, it ‘went over warmer waters’ which built up its ‘wind velocity’ and ’moisture content’. The effect was horrendous and indescribable (An inconvenient truth, 2007).
Other than that, severe floods are also occurring due to the precipitation at one time that causes heavy downpour (An inconvenient truth, 2007). Paradoxically, the vigorous precipitation may also bring to more severe and longer draughts in some other places (Chris, 2006), such events that that can be seen in Darfur and Niger. Melting of permafrost had damaged the structure that was built and plants lived on top of it. Global warming also may leads to melting of ice shelves that could halted the ‘ocean conveyer’, which in turn causes sudden jump to the European climate. The melting of land-based ice in the West Antarctica and Greenland would rise up the sea level up to 20 feet which means most of populated city situated at the ocean bay will possibly underwater when the ice melts (An inconvenient truth, 2007).
The ecological system has taken its toll from the changes in the season. The ‘ecological midgets’ are also taken in place, for example the pine beetle problem in the United States and rushing in of exotic species to the new ecology. Species are also facing extinction and coral reefs are bleaching in which global warming has some contribute to it. The increase in more and more troublesome infectious diseases as result of with global warming, vectors reaching to higher altitudes (An inconvenient truth, 2007).
Sir Winston Churchill once said “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedience, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” (1936). We as the people of this world has seen the alarming signs of global warming and with scientifically proven should find a way so that the warning are ‘heard’ and ‘responded to’ (An inconvenient truth, 2007). Without further delay, we should start by emitting lower carbon dioxide emissions and use less energy or using it more efficiently (Woodford, 2006). Energy efficiency can be improved at home by using electric and electronic appliances that uses efficient energy. Instead of driving a car, try to walk or ride a bicycle if we can, use the public transportation or else, buy a hybrid car if possible. Mother Nature needs your help to speak up for her, use the knowledge that you have to raise the community awareness on this sickening moral issue.
In conclusion, global warming has seriously given a tremendous and adverse effect on our mother earth as mentioned above. Living things are in jeopardy of these catastrophes including human beings that are single-handedly causing the issue in the first place. Each individuals have their say not to global warming, say no more to technology that are not environmental-friendly. Taking the words in a part of the movie “the solutions are in our hands, we just have to have the determination to make it happen” (An inconvenient truth, 2007).
The relationship between voracious modernization and global warming has been open to much interpretation and acrimonious debate. Misassumption by individuals about global warming had made them to become ignorant on the issue that is affecting our mother nature. The atmosphere, considerably regarded as the most vulnerable place in the earth’s ecological system as the composition of it can be changed, the thin layer of atmosphere has been thicken by global warming pollution, mainly from the effects of modernization had resulted more heat trapped in the atmosphere. Albert Gore, former US senator explained the effects of global warming in terms of climate change in the documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ (2007, DVD, Paramount Pictures). He explained two ‘canaries in the coal mine’ as the alarm bell of the signings of global warming.
Statistics showed that the ten hottest years ever measured, all had occurred for the last fourteen years (Gore, 2007). Temperature increase is taken place all over the world in which leads to overwhelming effects such as the massive heat wave which killed thirty-five thousands of people in Europe. The ocean is not escaped from the increase in temperature as well; consequentially produces stronger storms as can be seen in the last couple of years like the Ivan, Jeannie, Frances and most devastating, the Katrina. According to Al Gore (2007), before the Katrina hits New Orleans, it ‘went over warmer waters’ and builds up the ‘wind velocity’ as well as the ’moisture content’. He added, the effect is ‘horrendous’ and indescribable.
Other than that, severe floods are also occurring due to the precipitation at one time that causes heavy downpour (Gore, 2007). Paradoxically, the vigorous precipitation may also bring to more, severe and longer draughts, such events that that can be seen in Darfur and Niger. Melting of permafrost had damaged the structure that was built and plants lived on top of it. Global warming also may leads to melting of ice shelves that could halted the ‘ocean conveyer’, which in turn causes sudden jump to the European climate. The ecological system has taken its toll from the changes in the season as the cause of global warming. The ‘ecological midgets’ are also taken in place, for example the pine beetle problem in the United States and rushing in of exotic species to the new ecology. Species are also facing extinction. The increase in more and more troublesome infectious diseases as result of with global warming, vectors reaching to higher altitudes (Gore, 2007).
The melting of land base ice in the Antarctica, particularly the West Antarctica and Greenland would raise up the sea level up to 20 feet. This means most of populated city situated at the bay of the ocean will possibly underwater (Gore, 2007). Sir Winston Churchill once said “The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedience, of delays, is coming to its close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences.” (1936)
We as the people of this world has seen the signings and with scientifically proven should find a way so that the warning are ‘heard’ and ‘responded to’ (Gore, 2007). Thus, we should start by emitting lower carbon dioxide emissions and use less energy or using it more efficiently. (Chris Woodford, 2006). Energy efficiency can be improved at home by using electric and electronic appliances that uses efficient energy. Instead of driving a car, try to walk or ride a bicycle if we can, use the public transportation or else, buy a hybrid car if possible. Mother Nature needs your help to speak up for them, use the knowledge that you have to raise the community awareness on this sickening moral issue.
In conclusion, global issues must be tackled with the united stand by all the people in the world to make it happen. It takes time for issues like this to be solved, so we should be wise enough to spend the precious time we have before it is too late.
