Shane Lee Walsh appeals jail sentence after high-range drink driving crash into house

A repeat drink driver on the North Coast told a court he fled the scene after crashing into a house to avoid conflict with the angry homeowners. Here’s what happened.

Walsh told the court jail was a “sobering experience”.

A repeat drink driver told a court prison was a “sobering experience” after he was locked up for crashing into a home and fleeing the scene.

Magistrate Roger Prowse previously slammed offender Shane Lee Walsh for driving without a required interlock device in his car: “A mistake is like wearing corduroy on any occasion. This is a deliberate criminal act.”

Walsh, 38, successfully appealed a prison term at Lismore District Court after his vehicle left the road and slammed into a Casino home.

Walsh had served four months of a 17-month sentence for high range drink driving – second offence, not giving particulars to the owners of the damaged property, driving recklessly and circumventing an alcohol interlock device.

Walsh was driving a white Mitsubishi Triton eastbound on Queensland Rd about 7.30pm on November 19, 2022.

The car crashed into the brick home at about 80kmh.

Walsh told the court he left the scene to avoid conflict with the angry homeowners.

Walsh blew 0.153 after his arrest and told police he had consumed four schooners of beer.

Walsh was previously convicted of high-range drink driving.

Walsh was convicted of high-range drink driving in 2021 and ordered to use an interlock, but one was not fitted to his car at the time of the Casino crash.

When Walsh was jailed while facing Casino Local Court on March 23, Mr Prowse ripped into him for claiming he did not know he needed to have one of the devices fitted.

“It's not a mistake, you clearly knew what you were doing,” he said.

“Not only are you a person of compromised moral standing – you are a coward. You’re also a liar.”

The car crashed into the brick house at about 80kmh. File image. Picture: Cade Mooney

The court heard on Friday jail had been a “sobering experience” for Walsh.

His defence lawyer argued Walsh was “very remorseful” and seeking rehabilitation for abuse of alcohol.

The lawyer asked for Walsh to be released into the community for treatment.

The Crown said it was “sheer luck no was injured” by Walsh, opposed the appeal and argued the sentence was appropriate.

Judge Jennifer English upheld the appeal and said jail-time should be a “last resort”.

She told the court Walsh would be better off seeking treatment.

Walsh was released from prison on the day, July 28, and re-sentenced to a 12-month intensive corrections order in the community.

He was ordered to attend drug and alcohol counselling and obtain mental health treatment.