Mum sobs at drive ban
A WOMAN who was caught disqualified driving twice in two weeks, a mere two months after being banned for drink -driving, sobbed heavily as she was told she would not be able to legally drive for another four years.
Magistrate Steven Mosch told Eliza June Laidlow, 26, he had no choice but to disqualify her for the mandatory two years for each of the disqualified driving charges she pleaded guilty to.
Prosecutor Nicole Butler
told Charters Towers Magistrates Court that Laidlow was disqualified for five months on May 31 this year for driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.125.
Ms Butler said police were patrolling at 7.27am on July 24 this year when they pulled Laidlow over for a roadside breath test and licence check.
Laidlow admitted to police her licence had been suspended and said she had driven to work and was on her way home at the time, Ms Butler said.
Two weeks later, on August 7 at 7.30pm, police saw a vehicle which they pulled over for a roadside licence check and breath test.
Again, Laidlow told police she did not have a licence, that she needed to get to work and was driving home at the time officers stopped her.
Defence solicitor Kate Koelmeyer said at the time the offences were committed Laidlow had just found employment at a gold mine where she was on probation.
Ms Koelmeyer said Laidlow had made arrangements to get to work when she initially lost her licence for drink-driving.
She said that as the sole financial provider for her 10year-old child, she felt she had no choice but to drive herself to work so she would not lose her job.
“She has now established herself in her position and she has colleagues who can assist her in getting to work,” Ms Koelmeyer said.
Laidlow sobbed loudly as Mr Mosch told her that while it was admirable she was keen to prove herself on probation the offences were particularly serious.
“It’s aggravating in my view that having been apprehended once, you’ve then been apprehended again,” Mr Mosch said.
“When the court makes an order, there is an expectation that you comply with it.
“As tough as it might have been, you should have found any other option rather than drive a motor vehicle yourself. I’m hoping now you understand how serious it is.
“If you come back anytime in the next few years for offending of this nature, it’s not going to be a fine.
“You’re at risk of a term of imprisonment.”
Laidlow was convicted and fined a total of $2000 for the two charges.