Danielle Andrea Lawford avoids jail by ‘skin of her teeth’ after 10th drink-driving offence
“People like you shouldn’t be on our roads”: A magistrate gave a Central Queensland woman a stern warning after she was busted drink driving for the 10th time. Full details here.
Police & Courts
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A Capricorn Coast mother who got caught drink-driving for a 10th time, has avoided going to jail “by the skin of her teeth.”
Danielle Andrea Lawford, 41, pleaded guilty in Yeppoon Magistrates Court on April 21 to drink-driving while on a probationary licence.
The court heard that police intercepted Lawford driving on Ben Street, Yeppoon, about 1.15pm on March 14.
After a random breath test, she returned a blood alcohol reading of .081.
Representing herself in court, Lawford told Magistrate Jason Schubert that she had been going through a tough time and had been forced to leave a house to reside in a caravan with her two young children.
Ms Lawford said before she had children, her history was “terrible, absolutely shocking” and she had since sought professional help for her alcohol issues.
A probation officer addressed Mr Schubert on the efforts that Lawford had made in that regard.
Before handing down penalty, Mr Schubert spoke about Lawford’s poor drink-driving record.
“You come before the court with an appalling history as it relates to drink-driving,” Mr Schubert said.
“I counted nine drink-drives (on that history). What is it going to take you, to not drink-drive and put the community at considerable risk?
“Fines haven’t worked - you keep coming back.”
Mr Schubert said he needed a sentence that deterred Lawford and others in the community from drink-driving and Lawford became emotionally upset and was crying.
“I need a sentence that protects the community because people like you shouldn’t be on our roads,” he added.
Mr Schubert placed Lawford on nine months’ probation with conditions.
“You’re not going to jail today by the skin of your teeth,” he told Lawford before explaining the terms of the probation order to her.
Convictions were recorded.
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