David Warick Morieson appeals jail sentence for disqualified driving offences

A former cop turned lawyer has won a legal battle to reduce his jail sentence after repeatedly flouting driving bans, despite a judge calling his actions a “continued disobedience” of the law.

David Warwick Morieson, of Beecroft, outside Manly Local Court on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to a series of drive while disqualified charges.

A former police officer turned lawyer has won a legal battle to reduce his jail sentence after repeatedly flouting driving bans, despite a judge calling his actions a “continued disobedience” of the law.

David Warwick Morieson appeared by video link at the Gosford District Court on Wednesday morning to appeal his 36 month jail sentence.

Morieson, 52, was sentenced by Magistrate Alan Railton on February 20, but was granted conditional bail and told he wasn’t allowed to drive.

Two weeks later on March 7, Morieson was caught driving to his local pharmacy without a licence.

Morieson told Judge David Wilson he drove because his wife was unconscious at the time, but retracted the statement to say she was unwell and sleeping and that his two sons had a fever, which caused him to drive to the local pharmacy.

David Morieson, of Beecroft appeared in the Gosford District Court to appeal his jail sentence.

Judge Wilson said the offending was troubling and represented a “continued disobedience”.

“It raises significant concerns whether the offender has developed any insight into his offending,” Jude Wilson said.

“Not only is he a former police officer, but he is also a practising lawyer. One would expect he would be astute as to his legal obligations and wish to avoid all opportunities of coming to the attention of the law, yet alone be in prison”

David Warwick Morieson, 52, of Beecroft, outside Manly Local Court on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, where he pleaded guilty to a series of drive while disqualified charges.

Judge Wilson said he shared the magistrate’s disdain for the conduct of a legal practitioner breaching the law, but said a three year jail sentence was disproportionate to the criminality involved.

Judge Wilson re-sentenced Wilson to an aggregate term of 12 months jail and he will be eligible for parole after serving nine months.