Court Reporting 8 October 2001

Julie-Ann Ellis

A Toowoomba man pleaded guilty in the Toowoomba Magistrate’s Court yesterday, to charges of drink driving and breaking and entering.

Police allege Mathew Howard, 26, with two associates, broke into a house in Malbec Court on August 19.

They allegedly stole property worth $4870.

Neighbours told police that a beige Volkswagen Kombi was in the parking lot at the time of the burglary.

On September 7, Howard was driving on Mort Street when police stopped him for a random breath test.

His blood alcohol level was recorded at 0.170%.

After searching the vehicle, police found clothes matching the description of what the offender was wearing.

He told the court that he had a substance abuse problem, which was related to the death of his mother.

Howard was ordered to pay one third of the total amount stolen and was placed on three years probation.