Ipswich support worker Rachel Davies pleads guilty to driving without a licence

An Ipswich disability support worker told a court she was at risk of losing her job if she lost her license for driving while suspended after not being able to pay huge fines.

An Ipswich disability support worker told a court she was at risk of losing her job if she lost her license for driving while suspended after not being able to pay huge fines.

Barellan Point’s Rachel Davies, 29, broke down in tears after pleading guilty in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday, November 13, to driving without a licence (demerit point suspended).

The court heard Ms Davies was stopped by police on the Brisbane Valley Hwy in Pine Mountain on August 11 and produced a licence that had been suspended for six months.

Representing herself, Ms Davies said she had been experiencing financial hardship which meant she could not pay any future fines.

“This is clearly financial hardship why I’m here,’’ she said.

“The loss of licence, being unable to pay registration — I’m unable to pay fines and that is all proof of financial hardship.’’

She also told the court she previously lost her job after failing to be vaccinated.

“I went months and months and months without work or income. Centrelink wanted nothing to do with me,” Ms Davies said.

“I nearly lost my house and my car. I lost my livelihood, my private health... gone. And now I’m here.’’

She broke down after telling the court of the fragile mental state she was in due to the cost of living crisis, an ectopic pregnancy that led to the loss of her unborn child and medication she had been prescribed.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella emphasised with her situation but told Ms Davies she was in court because of the loss of her licence due to speeding, not because of financial hardship.

“It’s important for you to understand that if you want to learn from this, you need to understand that you’re here because you were speeding too much,” Mr Kinsella said.

When asked about her SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Registry) debt, Ms Davies replied: “I’m not paying it because I’ve got no money, so it keeps accumulating.’’

“It’s probably like seven grand now.’’

She was fined $300, despite asking for community service instead of a fine. No conviction was recorded.

Mr Kinsella said courts did not allow community service for traffic offences.