AN UNLICENSED driver who blew 0.216 has been sentenced to a year behind bars.
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Paula Walker, 21, pleaded guilty to a second offence of high range drink-driving and driving without a licence at Armidale Local Court on Monday.
Stopped by police on Cookes Road, Walker had two female passengers in the car, the court heard.
Here we are with a woman driving around the streets of Armidale with no licence and a high range PCA lingering in her system.
- Magistrate Michael Holmes.
“This is another very high range PCA [prescribed concentration of alcohol], another one that hasn’t bothered to get a driver’s licence,” Magistrate Michael Holmes said.
“Here we are with a woman driving around the streets of Armidale with no licence and a high range PCA lingering in her system.”
Aboriginal Legal Service defence solicitor Nick Forrest asked the court to consider a suspended sentence based on the woman’s age.
But, the magistrate was not having it.
“Why should I suspend it? Just on the basis that she’s 21?” Mr Holmes said.
”She’s an adult, don’t confuse the principles.
“This matter gives me a great deal of concern, it’s an issue of public safety and it’s a very serious matter.”
Police prosecutor Jim MacDonald said Walker had a history of breaking the law.
“It is a matter of public safety, with a reading of 0.216 which is extremely high,” Mr MacDonald said. “It is a very serious offence.”
Convicted of high range drink-driving, Walker was sentenced to a year in jail, with six months non-parole.
She was disqualified from driving for five years with an interlock exemption. For unlicensed driving, Walker was convicted with no penalty.