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guilty to a charge of undertaking in high risk act 3-Jul-2009 At 4:27:49 PM bne

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Drunks scale Story Bridge in impromtu adventure climb
Amelia Bentley
July 3, 2009 - 1:14PM

Four thrill-seeking Victorians on a boozy night in Brisbane were busted climbing the Story Bridge early this morning.

Cabinet-makers Wayne Russell Shipman, 36, Beauden Anstis, 22, and Shane Contarino and Aaron Robert Doutch, both 34, had been drinking at the Story Bridge Hotel last night when they decided to climb the bridge, which at its summit is as high as a 22-storey building.

The Brisbane Magistrates Court was told the foursome were spotted high up on the northern end of the bridge by police about 1am.

The men all pleaded guilty to a charge of undertaking in high risk activities today.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Peter Treloar said officers called the fire brigade to bring its vertical rescue equipment to the scene but the group climbed down without help.

They were then arrested and spent the rest of their night out in police custody, he said.

"All four of them said (to police) it was a mistake, they appear legitimately remorseful," he said.

Defence lawyer Mark Schofield told the court the men "became quite intoxicated" before dreaming up the high stakes stunt.

"There certainly seems no other sensible explanation for the climbing of the bridge," he said.

"It seems now with the benefit of sobriety, they realise how dangerous their actions were."

He said the men made their own way down the bridge's structure when the saw police below.

Sergeant Treloar said $1800 restitution was sought - the cost of the the fire brigade's deployment - and Magistrate Michael Halliday agreed the foursome should pay the amount, plus a fine.

"It would appear this stunt was brought about by a degree of intoxication," he said.

"Not only the climbing of the Story Bridge is a hazardous and dangerous escapade, but it's made even more hazardous if one has consumed alcohol."

He added the Queensland Fire Service had "better tasks to perform" than to rescue drunk bridge climbers.

Magistrate Halliday fined each man $300 and ordered them to chip in together to pay the $1800 restitution.

The group were in Queensland on a short-term labouring job and are believed to be flying back to Victoria today.

No convictions were recorded.