James Raymond Simmons, 34: Dubbo man sentenced for driving with cannabis in system

A Dubbo dad who hadn’t held a driver’s licence in six years was caught driving with cannabis in his system. Hear the stern warning he was issued in court.

James Simmons leaving Dubbo Local Court after his sentencing.

A Dubbo dad, who had been banned from driving since 2016, was caught driving with cannabis in his system.

James Raymond Simmons appeared in Dubbo Local Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to driving with illicit drugs in his system.

The 34-year-old was driving in Bourke when he was pulled over by police and returned a positive oral fluid test to cannabis.

The incident occurred at 12.45pm in April 2022 when Simmons was stopped for random testing.

Agreed facts tendered to the court revealed Simmons was asked to produce his licence by the police to which he responded, “I don’t have one, I’m disqualified”.

Dubbo Local Court. Picture: Ryan Young

At the time of the incident, Simmons’ licence has been disqualified since August 2016.

According to the facts, Simmons smoked cannabis “once a day at home”.

Magistrate Greg Grogin slammed Simmons for continuously driving while disqualified and said “legislation needs to have a look” as the defendant was “putting lives at risk”.

Mr Grogin listed some of Simmons’ previous offences in court, including a drink driving charge in 2017, driving with illicit drugs in 2021 and six matters of driving while disqualified.

Mr Grogin asked the defendant why he continued to smoke cannabis, saying “there are other ways to relax”.

“Cannabis is not a recreational drug and mucks up your head eventually,” Mr Grogin said.

“I feel sorry for your partner, she’s the taxi and bearing the front of this.

“It really is sad.”

Simmons’ solicitor Fiona Alamyar told the court that her client had been able to maintain full-time employment and “provide for his family” while having a disqualified licence.

Mr Simmons was disqualified from driving for another for 18 months and fined $2000.