Capricorn Coast mum cops crushing two-year driving ban

A Capricorn Coast single mum is in for two years of pain after a court delivered her a crushing blow.

Raquel Betty Lawrie paid a hefty price for her driving blunder when she faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court.

A single mum’s heartfelt plea to a magistrate has failed to save her from a crushing two-year driving ban.

Raquel Betty Lawrie was caught driving while court disqualified on Hill Street at Emu Park on September 1 and in Yeppoon Magistrates Court last week she pleaded guilty to the offence.

Representing herself in court, the 48-year-old told Acting Magistrate Stephen Byrne why it was so crucial for her to have a driver’s licence.

Lawrie said she was a single mother of four who had sole care of her children, and they lived “out of town” on an unsealed road.

“So it’s a fair way from any public transport,” Lawrie said.

“So without a driver’s licence, with my four children, yeah we’re in a very isolated situation.

“On that day (caught disqualified driving) I took the chance to go get drinking water as we’d run out.

“I’m unemployed, I’m not on Centrelink benefits due to not being able to get to appointments - so I’m on low income at the moment, just relying on family tax benefit.”

Raquel Betty Lawrie paid a hefty price for her driving blunder when she faced Yeppoon Magistrates Court.

Lawrie said she had to take her children to school and one of them, who is 21, did not have his driver’s licence to be able to help.

“I don’t have any family around the area (to help).”

Mr Byrne said despite Lawrie’s circumstances, the minimum mandatory disqualification for this offence was two years, which he imposed.

He also fined Lawrie $750.

“You’re going to have to do something quite creative to sort out the next two years,” Mr Byrne said.