Tubby man tries to shed the pounds by using METH before causing a three-car crash because he was so high on ice
- Kenneth Roy Smith, 63, smashed into two cars while driving high on meth
- Smith had been using meth for four years to lose weight and was once 120kg
- He was also caught driving under influence of drugs and alcohol twice more
- He was sentenced to 18 months behind bars and eligible for parole in June 2020
An overweight man who used meth to try and slim down has landed himself in jail after causing a three-car crash while driving high.
Kenneth Roy Smith, 63, from Nanango in south-eastern Queensland, smashed into two cars along the Bruce Highway in Tiaro in November last year.
Smith – who once weighed 120kg – claimed he took the drug to help him lose weight, and he was caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol twice more in December and March.
Appearing at Kingaroy Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Smith was sentenced to 18 months behind bars after pleading guilty to ten counts including dangerous operation of a vehicle and driving under the influence.
At the time of the crash, Smith had been seen driving erratically along the highway before ramming into the back of car, sending it off the road.
He then drove head on to another car.
The 63-year-old had been using meth for four years in attempts to lose weight and was caught driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol (file image)
He had reportedly told authorities he felt as if his car was being shot at, the court heard, The Sunshine Coast Daily reported.
The cars suffered severe damage but the passengers escaped with no serious injuries.
Smith’s duty lawyer, Chris Campbell, said he had started using meth four years ago.
‘My client has informed me he’s had two open heart surgeries throughout his life and four years ago he weighed in at an alarming 120kg,’ Mr Campbell said.
‘His doctor informed him it was in his best interests to lose some weight and Mr Smith thought the fastest way to achieve this would be to start using methamphetamine.’
Smith became addicted to the drug and claimed he had been attending counselling sessions to break the habit.
Magistrate Louise Pink said the further times he had been caught driving under the influence showed he was unlikely to be rehabilitated.
‘There is nothing before me today that shows anything to suggest you have prospects of rehabilitation,’ Ms Pink said.
He has also been disqualified from holding a drivers license for four years and will be eligible for parole in June this year.