Christine Joy Hamilton: woman bailed after sentence amid access concern

A wheelchair user who was sentenced to prison time for a raft of serious driving offences was released on bail just hours later amid concerns correctional facilities were not accessible.

A wheelchair-using Indigenous woman who was sentenced to full-time imprisonment was released on bail only hours later after her lawyer and family members told the court correctional facilities were not accessible.

Young, NSW woman Christine Joy Hamilton, 38, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, with a non parole period of four months for a raft of driving offences at Queanbeyan Local Court on Monday.

Hamilton was found guilty of destroying/damaging property between $2000-$5000; police pursuit/failing to stop for police; mid level drink driving; driving while suspended; contravening an apprehended violence order and four counts of failing to appear at court.

Court documents state on April 29 between 9.50 and 10pm Hamilton was involved in a police pursuit while driving a Rav4, did not stop for police and drove dangerously during the pursuit.

Christine Joy Hamilton was granted bail only hours after being sentenced to full time imprisonment after her lawyer raised concerns about disability access. Picture: Facebook

Between 11.20 and 11.30pm on May 1 documents state Hamilton was found driving an unregistered car, which did not have registration plates, while suspended from driving.

Additionally she was found with a blood alcohol reading of 0.139.

Court documents state Hamilton damaged a car during the early hours of May 2.

Magistrate Roger Clisdell said Hamilton had “taken revenge” on a car which she thought was that of the police officer who had apprehended her only a few days before – yet the car belonged to a different person.

Documents state Hamilton had failed to appear for numerous court dates both at Young Local Court and Queanbeyan Local Court.

In sentencing the magistrate said Hamilton had “no insight” into the danger of her erratic driving and said she should have been “the last person to get behind the wheel” drunk considering she was permanently disabled following a separate car accident.

Mr Clisdell said Hamilton had a “sense of entitlement”.

Hamilton was found guilty of a raft of driving offences, alongside multiple counts of failing to appear at court, damaging property and contravening an AVO. Picture: Facebook

Yet only hours after she was taken away by corrections staff, Hamilton’s lawyer, her mother and her daughter appeared at court to make a bid for bail.

Hamilton’s lawyer told the court correctional facilities had not been prepared for her client’s access needs stating there was “no rails and no one to escort her”.

The lawyer pushed for her client to be granted bail.

She told the court her client was not a risk to the community and said because of her disability Hamilton was only able to drive modified vehicles.

“It hasn’t stopped her in the past,” Mr Clisdell remarked.

Mr Clisdell ultimately granted conditional bail, which included that she not drive a motor vehicle and that she complied with any apprehended violence orders against her.

Hamilton has launched an appeal against all of her convictions and will front Queanbeyan District Court on October 31.

Christine Joy Hamilton was granted bail only hours after Magistrate Roger Clisdell sentenced Hamilton to nine months imprisonment with a non parole period of four months. Picture: Facebook

A Corrective Services NSW Spokeswoman said the department identifies support needs of offenders with disabilities and offers accessibility accommodations.

“This can include the use of modified vehicles and additional escorting officers,” the spokeswoman said.

“Where possible, inmates with disabilities are housed at mainstream facilities and reasonable adjustments are made to accommodate their needs, such as their placement in bottom bunks or ground floor placement.

“The infrastructure at some facilities has also been modified with ramps, handrails above beds and in bathrooms, easy-to-use taps and ramps in yards.”

The spokeswoman said the department, Justice Health and the Forensic Mental health Network “work together to ensure that the physical, cognitive, security and medical needs of those inmates are met through the development of comprehensive case plans”.