Daniel John Reynolds in court for driving while disqualified

A prospective fly in fly out miner with a “deplorable” traffic history has narrowly avoided going to prison after he was caught behind the wheel without a licence for the fifth time in five years.

Daniel John Reynolds, 33, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence disqualified by a court order when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday.Â

A driver with a “deplorable” traffic history has narrowly avoided going to prison after he was caught behind the wheel without a licence for the fifth time in the last five years.

Daniel John Reynolds, 33, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard Reynolds had been stopped by police for a licence check and breath test when it was discovered he was disqualified.

The fresh charge came on the back of an “appalling” traffic history, not just in the past five years but since he had started driving, the court was told.

Including the current charge, Reynolds had been convicted of disqualified driving five times in the past five years, as well as dangerous operation of a vehicle while intoxicated, the court heard.

He had previously been sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years after spending 81 days in custody, the court heard, in relation to a different type of offending.

Daniel John Reynolds, 33, pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified when he faced Maryborough Magistrates Court on Monday.

The new offence had breached that sentence and there was some debate around whether the suspended sentence should be activated during the sentencing.

Defence lawyer Morgan Harris said Reynolds had good work prospects and was intending to work as a fly-in fly-out worker at the mines and had certificates and cards in relation to construction.

He argued against activating the suspended sentence as it had been handed down in relation to a different type of offending, unrelated to driving offences.

He had the support of his sister, mother and new partner, Mr Harris said, and had been cooperative with police when he was pulled over.

Acting magistrate Anna Smith said Reynolds had one of “the most appalling” traffic histories she had ever seen.

“And I was a criminal lawyer for 20 something years, it’s appalling,” she said.

Ms Smith said while imprisonment was a last resort applying to that particular charge, it was the only appropriate course in the circumstances given his “deplorable” history.

Reynolds was sentenced to 15 months in prison with immediate release on parole, and disqualified from driving for three years

He was released on immediate parole in relation to the suspended sentence.

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