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Named: 25 hazardous drivers taken off northern NSW roads

From police chases to fiery wrecks, drink driving, reckless speeding and everything in between, these are some of the hazardous drivers ordered off northern NSW roads in recent times.

NSW ‘not alone’ in massive increase in deaths on roads

Police operations cracking down on hazardous driving continue to fill NSW courts amid an escalating road toll.

In recent days, Transport for NSW revealed there had been more than 254 people killed on NSW roads since the start of the year, compared to only 193 at the same time last year – a concerning 24 per cent spike.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Brett McFadden has urged drivers to take care of each other when behind the wheel. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Robert Pozo
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Brett McFadden has urged drivers to take care of each other when behind the wheel. Picture: AAP IMAGE/Robert Pozo

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Brett McFadden said families were coming to terms with the “unimaginable grief of losing someone they love in circumstances which are clearly avoidable”.

“They are crashes, and they are responsible for taking the life, or causing serious harm,” he said.

“The moment you breach the laws – such as being on the wrong side of the road, such as speeding – it’s that driver’s responsibility.

“The moment you breach the laws you place your vehicle in a situation that causes an innocent person to impact with it, the results can be catastrophic – as they have been – and the driver is responsible.

“There’s a level of recklessness bordering on criminality in the way some drivers conduct themselves.

“We are ready to take these people on head-to-head, but we can’t be on every road on every point at every minute of the day.”

The Bureau of Crime Statistics recorded 58,308 traffic offences statewide from January 1 to March.

NSW courts deal with a worrying number of motorists flouting the law and putting others at risk.
NSW courts deal with a worrying number of motorists flouting the law and putting others at risk.

Of those, 5100 were recorded on the Mid-North Coast and North Coast.

In northern NSW, a major police crackdown on dangerous drivers resulted in more than 100 drivers being charged following 11,130 random breath tests conducted between Tweed and Ballina over the weekend of June 23 to 25.

Beyond the statistics, every traffic offence – and occasional catastrophic consequence – has a face. Below are 25 offenders sentenced in northern NSW courts for hazardous behaviour on the roads in recent times.

William John Parrington – Possum Creek

William John Parrington outside court.
William John Parrington outside court.

A Possum Creek medical apprentice on his P-plates crashed and rolled his car into the railing of a northern NSW bridge after drinking beers at a party.

NSW Police were called to the crash on the Glebe Bridge along Dawson St in Coraki about 2.30am on August 18 last year, according to court documents.

Emergency services found William John Parrington’s car resting against the railing with nobody inside, Ballina Local Court heard.

Parrington’s parents arrived at the crash site and they helped police find him under a tree a short distance away by tracking his mobile phone location.

The Glebe Bridge at Coraki.
The Glebe Bridge at Coraki.

He was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words and smelt of alcohol.

“He had consumed a number of beers at a party,” police facts state.

Defence Lawyer Greg McBurney told the court on March 2 that Parrington was a medical apprentice in Mullumbimby who had no criminal history.

The 18-year-old man pleaded guilty to drink driving.

Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said Parrington put the community at risk.

“Luckily nobody was injured or killed,” she said.

Parrington was convicted, sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and his licence was disqualified for seven months.

FULL STORY

Sonny Hancox – Clarence

Sonny Hancox outside court.
Sonny Hancox outside court.

A Clarence man has been sentenced over a tragic car crash which occurred only 100 metres from his home and killed a 53-year-old motorcyclist

In a split second everything would change for Waterview Heights man Sonny Hancox, 48, when he went to turn off the Gwydir Highway and a motorcyclist “came out of nowhere”, crashing into his car.

The motorcyclist, 53-year-old Robert Walton, died while being taken to Grafton Base Hospital on August 28, 2017.

After four abandoned trials and lengthy negotiations, Hancox, 48, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving occasioning death, while driving under the influence of cannabis six years after the tragic crash.

The court heard the crash occurred at 9.15am when Hancox was returning from work.

As he went to turn off the Gwydir Highway and onto Hillview Dr, Mr Walton’s motorcycle “came out of nowhere”, according to Hancox, and crashed into his car.

The scene of the crash.
The scene of the crash.

Judge Jeffreys said analysis of the crash scene showed Mr Walton was driving between 109 to 113 km/h on the 100 km/h stretch of road, while Hancox’s car was “barely moving”.

When police arrived they found Hancox crying and in a state of shock.

The court heard Hancox had shown “deep contrition” and was diagnosed with PTSD since the fatal crash.

One year, Hancox returned to the crash site and placed a cross with Mr Walton’s name on it.

“I think about this accident constantly, I often wake in the night in cold sweats and break into tears,” Hancox previously said.

Judge Jeffreys convicted Hancox and sentenced him on August 10 at Grafton District Court to a 20-month intensive corrections order.

He is also disqualified from driving for 18 months.

FULL STORY 

Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi – Coffs Harbour

Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi outside court.
Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi outside court.

A Coffs Harbour disability support worker and ex-firefighter previously caught mid-range drink driving was busted weaving through school zone traffic at almost five times the legal limit.

The 34-year-old man pleaded guilty to driving with a High Range PCA first offence when he faced Coffs Harbour Local Court on March 8.

Police were patrolling the school zone on Harbour Dr when they spotted a blue Mitsubishi Triton weaving in an attempt to pass traffic on the afternoon of November 28.

Officers who stopped the car noticed a “pungent smell of intoxicating liquor” and Sohdi’s bloodshot eyes, court documents state.

Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi (left) leaves court.
Justin Parampreet Singh Sodhi (left) leaves court.

Sodhi told police he downed about a bottle of Jack Daniels whisky the night before he was pulled over before blowing 0.238 – almost five times the legal limit.

Sodhi was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month intensive correction order, with Magistrate Robert Walker telling him he narrowly avoided jail-time.

Sodhi was fined $1500, and ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

His licence was disqualified for six months and he is subject to a 24-month alcohol interlock device order.

FULL STORY

Georgia Eve Masterson and Jonathan Michael Egan – Tweed Heads

Georgia Masterson and Jonathan Egan. Picture: Facebook
Georgia Masterson and Jonathan Egan. Picture: Facebook

A North Coast couple used a Hyundai SUV as a “weapon” at the end of an ice-fuelled crime spree in northern NSW and southeast Queensland.

Georgia Eve Masterson, 22, of Illinbah, and Jonathan Michael Egan, 25, of Greenbank were sentenced at Lismore District Court on May 26

Egan and Masterson were trailed by a police chopper after a series of armed robberies in Queensland and NSW on February 18 last year.

Egan and Masterson fled police in a stolen Porsche and tried to rob a woman at gunpoint at Banora Point Caltex.

They then robbed a man for his Hyundai Tucson at knifepoint at Tweed City shopping centre.

Officers tried to block their escape – but Egan “used the Hyundai as an offensive weapon”, ramming into two police cars.

Jonathan Egan. Picture: Facebook
Jonathan Egan. Picture: Facebook

Egan was charged with possessing an unauthorised pistol, using an offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, attempted aggravated assault with intention to steal a car in company, aggravated assault with intention to steal a car in company, and two counts of driving a car while disqualified.

He was jailed for seven years with a non-parole period of four years and will be eligible for release on August 18, 2026.

Masterson was charged with using an offensive weapon in company to prevent detention, attempted aggravated assault with intent to steal a car in company, and aggravated assault with intent to steal a car in company.

She was jailed for six years with three years non-parole. Masterson is eligible for release on August 18, 2026.

They both pleaded guilty to all charges on October 14 last year.

FULL STORY

James Anthony Boyce – Taree

James Anthony Boyce outside court.
James Anthony Boyce outside court.

A Taree building certifier who caught a courtesy bus home after drinking at a club must have drunk an “extraordinary amount” to blow so high when he got behind the wheel the next day, a court heard.

James Anthony Boyce is “highly respected” within the building industry and in the rugby community, his lawyer told the court when he appeared in Taree Local Court for mid-range drink driving on June 17.

Magistrate Allison Hawkins told the court his many “glowing references” failed to address the “elephant in the room” – Boyce’s use of alcohol.

Boyce, who runs a building certification business, went out for drinks with mates on the afternoon of May 17 to celebrate the life of a friend who recently lost their battle with cancer, the court heard.

Boyce caught the courtesy bus home about 10pm, but he hopped behind the wheel of his Honda Civic when he was called on by a family member to run an errand the next morning.

Boyce was stopped by police for a random breath test on Manning River Dr and blew 0.098. about 8am.

“It must have been a very big night – you are putting alcohol before community safety and it’s not the first time,” Ms Hawkins said.

The 62-year-old’s referees also seemed unaware he had a previous drink drive conviction in 2018, the court heard.

“It’s the second time in five years and it’s time for you to own up to it.

“You must have drunk an extraordinary amount of alcohol.”

Boyce was disqualified from driving for six months, convicted and fined $1200 and will have to use an alcohol interlock device for 12 months once he is allowed back on the road.

FULL STORY

Nathan Austin – Taree

Nathan Austin outside court.
Nathan Austin outside court.

A repeat drink driver was told “if you keep going with this type of offending you will find yourself in jail” when he appeared in Taree court.

Nathan Austin pleaded guilty to high range drink driving after a night of drinking at the Royal Hotel in Taree.

The 29-year-old tiler from Cundletown was pulled over just before 4am on December 14 last year when they noticed him travelling along Commerce street with one tail light not working.

According to police facts tendered to court he then turned into another street without indicating and officers activated their sirens and pulled him over.

He had bloodshot eyes and appeared sluggish according to police facts and said “I’m in trouble, I’ve been drinking”.

Austin told them he had seven schooners of Carlton Dry since the previous afternoon at the Royal Hotel and hadn’t eaten anything.

When tested he blew 0.159.

He appeared before Magistrate Allison Hawkins at Taree Local Court on Wednesday, April 12 where he pleaded guilty to high range drink driving.

The court heard this was his third drink driving offence in the past seven years, with them all in the mid range or higher.

Ms Hawkins said it was “disturbing” to see him back before the court and warned him he could end up in jail if he kept drinking and driving.

Austin was convicted and disqualified from driving for 18 months, fined $750 and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.

FULL STORY 

Kirran Nazir Shah – Lismore

Kirran Nazir Shah outside court.
Kirran Nazir Shah outside court.

A Lismore man ran down a woman in the street with his ute because he checked a text on his mobile phone while driving.

East Lismore man Kirran Nazir Shah, 50, pleaded guilty to negligent driving occasioning the grievous bodily harm of a 67-year-old woman.

Shah was driving a white Toyota HiLux on Leycester Rd, Lismore and turned into Diadem St about 5.30pm on March 8.

Kirrin Nazar Shah.
Kirrin Nazar Shah.

He quickly looked down and touched his phone as he turned, the court was told.

The victim was by her parked car when Shah’s ute careened onto a grassy area.

She was struck by the bullbar and left suffering multiple injuries that required surgery.

Shah was convicted and sentenced by Magistrate Michael Dakin to a 12-month conditional release order.

He was also disqualified from holding a drivers licence for a year.

FULL STORY

Jordan Muddle – Grafton

Jordan Muddle outside court.
Jordan Muddle outside court.

An unlicensed North Coast man has been hit with a hefty fine after he was caught hooning in a Toyota Camry at 45km/h over the speed limit – because he was bored.

Jordan Muddle, 21, appeared in Lismore Local Court on January 30 charged with a string of traffic offences after an ill-fated hooning episode in Grafton.

The court heard Muddle was swerving around corners, drifting and generally driving in a manner dangerous to the public when he was busted on April 3, 2021 doing about 95km/h in a 50km/h zone on Prince St in Grafton.

Jordan Muddle outside court.
Jordan Muddle outside court.

He pleaded not guilty, but was found guilty.

Magistrate Michael Dakin said Muddle’s denial showed no remorse and indicated a high risk of reoffending.

The court heard Muddle did not try to justify his behaviour, but explained he committed the offences because of his level of “boredom”.

“If he had collided and they were seriously hurt or worse, it wouldn’t be a question of if (he would go to prison), it would be for how long,” Mr Dakin said

Mr Dakin warned Muddle: “Change your behaviour or go to jail.”

Muddle was sentenced to a three year community corrections order, 150 hours of community service and fined $2250.

His licence was disqualified for 30 months.

FULL STORY 

Polo Harald Baker – Lismore

Polo Baker outside Lismore Local Court.
Polo Baker outside Lismore Local Court.

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, was sentenced on August 21 after pleading 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.

He wrapped his car around a tree with drugs present in his saliva and a passenger in the car due to a “microsleep” in November last year.

The Bruxner Highway crash site.
The Bruxner Highway crash site.

During the previous appearance, Baker was fined $500 and disqualified from driving for six months. But he was back behind the wheel two months later, the court heard.

Baker’s solicitor told the court he needed his licence to attend a “DJ competition” in Brisbane.

Mr Dakin warned Baker his “liberty was in jeopardy” if he continued to reoffend.

Baker was convicted and sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

FULL STORY

Richard Lamond – Kyogle

Richard Lamond outside court.
Richard Lamond outside court.

A Kyogle truckie’s moment of inattention left a woman with horrible injuries after his truck shunted her off the Bruxner Hwy

Richard John Lamond, 59, was convicted and sentenced at Lismore Local Court to a two-year community corrections order and 400 hours of community service after pleading guilty to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

Lamond was driving the tonne truck and trailer along the Bruxner Hwy at Mckees Hill towards Casino on December 5, 2022 when he answered a FaceTime call from his wife.

The woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.
The woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Lamond’s truck “collided heavily” with the rear of the Mazda in front, which was being driven by a 69-year-old woman

The Mazda hit a drain and rolled, coming to rest on its roof, leaving the victim trapped and severely injured.

She has been forced to undergo “numerous surgeries and is still attending regular physiotherapy“, the court was told.

His licence was disqualified for 12 months.

FULL STORY

Alexander Ellis Macmillan – Boambee

Alexander Ellis MacMillan pleaded guilty after a car crash on Boambee Beach.
Alexander Ellis MacMillan pleaded guilty after a car crash on Boambee Beach.

A Coffs Harbour apprentice mechanic was “egged on” by passengers as he tried to fishtail his Honda Jazz and crashed the car on Boambee Beach on the Coffs Coast.

Alexander Ellis Macmillan, 18, pleaded guilty to reckless driving and not giving his particulars to police.

Court documents state Macmillan was driving on the beach at about 80km/h before the crash.

The speeding car described as a “matchbox” by Coffs Harbour Local Court Magistrate Roger Prowse hit a patch of soft sand, lost a wheel, and rolled numerous times ending on its side on June 25.

Alexander Ellis MacMillan (left) leaves court.
Alexander Ellis MacMillan (left) leaves court.

The Honda was badly damaged, but the five people inside climbed free of the wreck.

Mr Prowse said Macmillan was “extraordinarily fortunate” none of the passengers had sustained lasting injuries.

“You’re a quintessential young Aussie male – thick as two short planks,” Mr Prowse said.

On the reckless driving and failing to give particulars charges, Macmillan was convicted on August 16, fined $1800 and disqualified from driving for 27 months.

FULL STORY 

Edward Bolt – Lismore

Edward Bolt outside court.
Edward Bolt outside court.

A man whose brother was murdered was busted drink driving after consuming up to a dozen schooners of beer at a local watering hole, Maclean Local Court was told.

Lismore man Edward Bolt, 49, fronted the court supported by his wife, pleading guilty to mid-range drink driving.

Documents tendered to the court lay out how Bolt was pulled over by police just before midnight on February 15 as he was driving south down Wyrallah Rd, Monaltrie.

“(After Bolt) was asked to provide his drivers licence … (he) stated, ‘You don’t need to do that I’m going to be over’,” police facts state.

The court heard police also noticed Bolt was slurring his words and his breath smelt strongly of booze.

Magistrate Juliana Crofts convicted Bolt and fined him $500.

He was also disqualified from driving for three months and must hold an interlock driver’s licence for one year following the disqualification period.

FULL STORY

Andrew Heremia Roberts – Woombah Woods

Roberts wielded a machete before getting into a wild police chase which reached speeds of up to 190km/h.
Roberts wielded a machete before getting into a wild police chase which reached speeds of up to 190km/h.

Andrew Heremia Roberts, 48, pleaded guilty to a string of charges including common assault, intimidation, being armed with the intention of committing an indictable offence, driving more than 45km/h above the speed limit, two counts of police pursuit and refusing to undertake an oral fluid test.

A Roberts confrontation with a ground manager of the Woombah Woods caravan park, near Iluka, led to a wild police pursuit through northern NSW on September 19.

According to court documents, around 10am the ground manager at Woombah approached Roberts’ car as he had not registered to stay at the caravan park.

“The (ground manager) walked up to the front door of the vehicle and said: “Mate, can I help you?”

Robets replied: ‘Who the f--k are you? Do you own the place.”

“(Roberts then) got out of the vehicle holding a machete,” police state in Grafton Local Court documents.

By the time police arrived, Roberts was on his way south on the Pacific Motorway.

A pursuit was initiated – reaching speeds of up to 190 km/h.

Roberts drove through the Coffs CBD and continued south “weaving his way through heavy traffic” and at times “straddling the lane dividing lane one and lane two”, the court heard.

He was finally stopped by road spikes at Raleigh.

Roberts was convicted of all offences and sentenced to 22-months behind bars with a non-parole period of 13 months.

He was also disqualified from holding a driver’s licence for three years and fined $500.

FULL STORY

Nathan Phee – Woodford Island

Nathan Phee outside court.
Nathan Phee outside court.

Woodford Island man Nathan Phee, 37, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of methamphetamines.

The charge was linked to a string of offending which saw Phee spend months behind bars, Grafton Local Court heard.

Last September, the 37-year-old received a 12-month prison sentence, with a non-parole period of seven months.

He was convicted of driving an unregistered car, driving an uninsured car, driving while disqualified, two counts of police pursuit, damaging property and two counts of resisting police officers.

Phee caught the attention of police after numerous members of the public made complaints about his erratic driving on South Arm School Rd, Woodford Island.

He did not stop when police activated lights and sirens on their vehicle.

Police again spotted Phee driving along Jubilee St, Townsend about 8:20pm – and again the 37-year-old did not stop when required to do so.

“ (Phee then) crossed over Golf Links Rd … before ramming a wire boundary fence, pushing his way though and entering the car park of the Maclean golf course,” police facts state.

The vehicle eventually came to a stop and Phee resisted arrest.

“ (Phee) had to be forcibly restrained so a blood sample could be taken … he attempted to bite two officers,” the documents state.

Magistrate Juliana Crofts convicted Phee and sentenced him to a 12-month community corrections order. He was also disqualified from driving for 12 months.

FULL STORY

Shane Lee Walsh – Casino

Repeat drink driver Shane Lee Walsh told a court prison was a “sobering experience”.
Repeat drink driver Shane Lee Walsh told a court prison 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 while cheating an interlock order and fleeing the scene.

Shane Lee Walsh, 38 crashed a white Mitsubishi Triton into a Casino home on November 19 He was travelling about 80km/h while high range drink driving – and blew 0.153 after the crash.

Magistrate Roger Prowse previously slammed offender Walsh for claiming he did not realise he needed an interlock fitted to his car after he was convicted of drink driving in 2021: “A mistake is like wearing corduroy on any occasion. This is a deliberate criminal act.”

Mr Prowse initially jailed Walsh for 17-months, but the offender successfully appealed his sentence four months later in Lismore District Court.

The Crown opposed the appeal, saying it was “sheer luck no was injured” by Walsh, but Judge Jennifer English said jail-time should be a “last resort” in such cases.

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

On appeal his conviction stood and his licence was disqualified for two years.

FULL STORY

Hannah Louise Mouthaan – Forster

Hannah Mouthaan.
Hannah Mouthaan.

A late night Maccas run at Forster has landed a young beauty student in court.

After work drinks at the Lakeside Tavern, Hannah Louise Mouthaan drove the short distance to get McDonald’s around 11.30pm on July 29.

The 20-year-old appeared in Forster Local Court, where she pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving – first offence.

When she was pulled over for a random breath test, Mouthaan blew 0.112 – “well into the mid range”, Magistrate Sharon Crews told the court.

Mouthaan told police she had about four glasses of chardonnay.

The magistrate said it was “important that a message be sent to you and the community” that alcohol combined with inexperience was a dangerous combination on the road.

“I hope you learn from this,” Ms Crews said.

Mouthaan was convicted of mid-range drink driving, fined $300 and disqualified from driving for the minimum period of three months.

FULL STORY

Brady James Woodhouse – Taree

Brady James Woodhouse.
Brady James Woodhouse.

A man who “rolled the dice and it came up snake eyes” when he was caught drink driving for the fourth time was ordered to serve home detention.

Brady James Woodhouse, 37, from Wingham was sentenced in Taree Local Court on July 17 to nine months of home detention and was disqualified from driving for six months.

When Woodhouse, last faced court on June 14, visiting Magistrate John Chicken said the drink driver “rolled the dice” and took a big risk getting behind the wheel on February 12.

The court heard it was Woodhouse’s fourth drink driving offence and the second in the mid-range category.

“For most people who do it once it’s a mistake, but for someone to do it four times it’s all about their own convenience,” Mr Chicken told the court.

Woodhouse was pulled over at West Wyalong at 2am on February 12 for a random breath test and told police: “I’m gonna go high mate, I know it”.

Woodhouse blew 0.145 – a “sniff of a cork off high-range”, Mr Chicken previously said

“This is the last step I can take before putting you in jail – and believe me I was thinking of it,” Mr Chicken said.

FULL STORY

Blake Cross – Taree

Blake Cross leaves court.
Blake Cross leaves court.

A Taree teen who took part in a street race through the main street late at night has faced the music.

Blake Cross was 19 at the time when his car hit speeds of up to 150km/h and the pair crossed seven “blind” intersections on December 11 last year, Taree Local Court was told.

When Cross, who works at a local McDonald’s fast food restaurant in a senior managerial position, faced magistrate Allison Hawkins for sentencing, she had strong words of warning.

“This is not a game of Grand Theft Auto. You don’t crash and get to press a button and start again.” she said.

Cross was initially slammed with a three-year licence disqualification, but appealed it in the district court to 12 months.

He has also been convicted of driving recklessly/furiously or in a dangerous speed/manner – first offence and sentenced to a two-year conditional release order, starting September 5.

FULL STORY

Hannah Phelan – Nimbin

Hannah Phelan outside court.
Hannah Phelan outside court.

A North Coast drink driver who claimed she was weaving over the road to dodge potholes was dragged from her car by police after about 20 failed breath test attempts.

Hannah Phelan’s vehicle with Queensland plates was spotted by Nimbin police swerving across double lines on Keerrong Road at Blakebrook about 8.25pm on January 15.

The 37-year-old pulled over to allow police to pass, but they instead intercepted her vehicle.

Officers told Phelan why she had been pulled over and she told them she had been ”swerving potholes”. Police observed the road to be smooth, Lismore Local Court was told.

Phelan was given 20 attempts before police said they would be arresting her.

She refused to leave the vehicle and police eventually grabbed her by the arms and pulled her out.

A breath analysis at the station produced a result of 0.190 – almost four times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

Phelan was convicted and sentenced to serve a 18-month community correction order and a conditional release order.

She needs to use an alcohol interlock device once back on the road.

Phelan was also fined $400 and her licence was disqualified for the minimum period.

FULL STORY 

Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder – Wardell

Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder outside court.
Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder outside court.

Wardell apprentice mechanic Cameron Lee Keys-Hodder was on his L-plates when he was caught drink driving in Byron Bay.

He claimed he was fleeing from Red Devils Campsite after being assaulted, Byron Bay Local Court was told.

The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to driving a Mazda sedan along Bangalow Rd, Byron Bay while intoxicated about 11am on April 8.

Hodder tried to avoid the roadside breath test as he had downed a dozen Toohey New beers at the camping spot in Byron that morning.

When police caught him he was more than two times the legal alcohol limit, with a blood-alcohol reading of 0.119.

Hodder was convicted and fined $500 and disqualified from driving for three months.

FULL STORY

Lincon Bellinger – Byron

Lincon Bellinger outside court.
Lincon Bellinger outside court.

Unlicensed Byron Shire labourer Lincon Bellinger was caught drink driving with seven passengers in his car during Schoolies celebrations – half of them not wearing seatbelts.

The 19-year-old, pleading guilty to drink driving, driving without a licence and driving with four or more unrestrained passengers aged 16 and over in Byron Bay on November 27 last year.

Police found eight people travelling in the car in total, four without a seatbelt. Bellinger returned a mid-range blood alcohol reading of 0.121, Byron Bay Local Court was told.

Bellinger was convicted, fined $2600 and disqualified from driving for a year.

FULL STORY

Sahil Kumar Singh – Ballina

Sahil Kumar Singh outside court.
Sahil Kumar Singh outside court.

Sahil Kumar Singh, of Ballina, was caught drink driving with cocaine in his system and four passengers in his Mercedes Benz on New Year’s Day.

The 25-year-old pleaded guilty to mid-range drink driving and driving with cocaine in his body.

Singh told officers he downed two shots of tequila without eating anything and returned a blood-alcohol reading of 0.124.

He was convicted and sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order, fined $1200 and suspended from driving for three months in Ballina Local Court.

FULL STORY

Harry Clifford Egan – Ballina

Drugs and cash, cocaine generic.
Drugs and cash, cocaine generic.

A drug driver busted on the move in Ballina, Harry Clifford Egan, was caught with $2610 cash and white powder resembling cocaine around his nostrils after a “big night”.

The 32-year-old pleaded guilty in Ballina Local Court to two counts of driving with an illicit drug present in his system and one count each of driving with a disqualified licence and possessing a prohibited drug.

Egan has pleaded not guilty to being charged with being in the possession of suspected stolen goods after police found $1400 in his pants pocket and $1210 in his wallet on February 11 last year.

Egan was convicted and fined $1000 and disqualified his licence for a year.

FULL STORY

Danika Kristina Brazier-Reeve – Ballina

Danika Kristina Brazier-Reeve.
Danika Kristina Brazier-Reeve.

Danika Kristina Brazier-Reeve drove her Mercedes onto a busy North Coast golf course during a police pursuit, causing people to run for safety, because she was “having a bad day”, a court heard.

The 30-year-old faced Ballina Local Court pleading guilty to police pursuit, driving unlicensed and damaging property after the bizarre incident.

She drove onto Ballina Golf Sports Club, forcing golfers to hide behind trees to avoid being run down.

Brazier-Reeve was convicted and sentenced to a three-year community corrections order where she must complete 120 hours of community service.

She was fined $300 and her licence was disqualified for 12 months.

FULL STORY

Shannon James Murray – Tweed Heads

Shannon James Murray faced Lismore District Court.
Shannon James Murray faced Lismore District Court.

Shannon James Murray, 33, faced Lismore District Court on April 14 after fleeing the scene of a fatal crash on August 4, 2020 – leaving Steven Morris, 47, for dead.

Police stated the mechanic was speeding at 200km/h in his partner’s Mazda when he crashed and killed Mr Morris on the Pacific Highway at Tweed Heads.

Murray recorded a blood-alcohol level of 0.125 – more than twice the legal limit.

He pleaded guilty on September 13, 2022 to manslaughter, failing to stop and assist after a fatal crash, mid-range drink driving, and causing bodily harm by misconduct while he was in charge of a motor vehicle

Defence barrister Simon Apps asked for a sentence focusing on rehabilitation.

Judge Jennifer English sentenced Murray to a term of imprisonment of seven years and six months with a non-parole period of four years and six months and his licence was suspended.

Murray will be eligible for parole on February 4, 2026.

FULL STORY

Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/regional/named-25-hazardous-drivers-taken-off-northern-nsw-roads/news-story/a0bfdaa842633e603459dd3ab08fdeff