Katherin Cooper: Serial traffic offender sentenced for drink driving, driving disqualified

A Sydney woman busted drink driving for the fourth time in two years told police she’d never held an Australian driver’s licence as a magistrate criticised her disregard for public safety.

A serial drink driver has received a dressing down in court for having “no regard for public safety” as court documents reveal she told police she’d “never held an Australian driver’s licence”.

Katherin Cooper was pulled over in a MG sedan for a random breath test about 11:40pm on July 23 on Cowper St, Glebe for what became her fourth drink-driving bust in two years, according to Magistrate Gareth Christofi.

Among the offences on the 30-year-old Glebe woman’s “poor record,” listed by Magistrate Christofi, include driving while disqualified in January and February 2021, drive with special range of concentration of alcohol in February 2021, low range drink driving and driving while disqualified in April 2021, and driving with a special range of alcohol in November 2020.

“Clearly Ms Cooper, for whatever reason, has no regard for public safety or rules in relation to driving and drinking”, Magistrate Christofi said.

According to agreed facts tendered to Downing Centre Local Court, Cooper was charged with special range drink driving because she had never held a driver’s licence in NSW.

Katherin Cooper leaves Downing Centre Local Court after facing another drink driving charge

When police asked for Cooper’s licence after she was pulled over for a random breath test in July, the 30-year-old said she didn’t have one and had never had one in Australia, the facts read.

Upon checking her licence, police confirmed her status was unlicensed and she was disqualified from driving from November 12, 2020 to May 27, 2026.

The Glebe woman was criticised in court for her significant criminal record

Police could smell intoxicating liquor and believed Cooper was “slightly affected” due to her slow response to questions and her behaviour.

“The accused informed police she had recently had mouthwash five minutes ago. Due to this police waited ten minutes before testing … she returned a result of 0.44,” the facts read.

The court heard Cooper’s “significant criminal record” also included drug possession, adding her psychological report showed a range of mental health issues.

For the special category driver driving with special range PCA and driving while disqualified charges, Cooper was convicted, fined $1500 and disqualified from holding any Australian licence for a further 12 months.

She was also sentenced to a 12-month community correction order, required to have a 12-month interlock device once her disqualified period ends and ordered to accept rehabilitation treatment. Cooper had pleaded guilty to both charges.