Goonellabah DJ, landscaper Polo Harald Baker faces Lismore Local Court for driving disqualified after ‘microsleep’ tree crash
A North Coast landscaper and DJ tried to dodge police after losing his P-plate licence following a harrowing drug driving crash.
Police & Courts
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A young landscaper and DJ from Goonellabah tried to dodge police while driving disqualified after losing his P-plate licence following a drug driving crash into a tree.
Polo Harald Baker, 19, faced Lismore Local Court on Monday.
He pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified (second offence) after he conducted a U-turn and crossed double lines in an attempt to evade police.
Baker, who is featured on internet music community Soundcloud, lost his provisional licence when he fronted Magistrate Michael Dakin in the same courtroom in April.
The court was told he wrapped his car around a tree due to a “microsleep” with methamphetamines, MDMA and cannabis in his body in November last year.
A passenger was travelling in the car, but escaped unharmed.
Mr Dakin warned Baker at the time his offending was serious and he could have been in a lot more trouble should he have injured or killed the passenger.
During the previous appearance, Baker was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for six months.
Baker was back behind the wheel two months later, the court heard.
On Monday, defence solicitor Rebecca Witchard conceded Baker’s traffic history “did not assist”.
But she said her client needed a license to get to his landscaping job in Ballina.
She also told the court Baker needed his licence to attend a “DJ competition” in Brisbane.
Mr Dakin said most people needed a driver’s license to get to work and it did nothing to explain the offending.
Baker was warned his “liberty was in jeopardy” if he continues to reoffend.
He was convicted, sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and Baker’s license was disqualified for 12 months.
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